BANGALORE: Abdul Kareem Telgi, prime accused in the stamp paper racket, will approach the Supreme Court to clear legal obstacles to his making a confessional statement.

Telgi, who is lodged in the Yerwada Central Prison in Pune, has been directed by a Special Court to make the statement before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Bangalore, through videoconferencing. Telgi filed a petition before the Karnataka High Court seeking a modification of the order of the Special Court as he wanted to appear in person before the magistrate to make the statement. But his application was not entertained in view of a Supreme Court order directing courts not to accept petitions in the 48 stamp paper racket cases, except those for bail.

On Wednesday, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vasant Kumar heard Telgi, who reiterated that he would make a confessional statement only if he was permitted to come to Bangalore. The case was adjourned till July 19.

Security reasons

Telgi has been lodged in the Yerwada Central Prison in Pune for two years now. It was for security reasons that the Central Bureau of Investigation, the agency investigating the racket, shifted him from the Bangalore Central Prison. He was produced before the Special Court in Bangalore through videoconferencing.

It was also for the same reason that the Special Court permitted Telgi to make the confessional statement under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code from Pune through videoconferencing. But Telgi is unwilling to use the facility as he fears the network will be tapped.

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