The Hindu : Front Page : 13-year RI, Rs. 100-crore fine for Telgi

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Friday, Jun 29, 2007
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13-year RI, Rs. 100-crore fine for Telgi

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: A special court in Pune on Thursday sentenced Abdul Karim Telgi, the brain behind the multicrore stamp paper scandal, to 13-year rigorous imprisonment and imposed on him the highest quantum of fine in the country so far — Rs. 100 crore.

Judge Chitra Bhedi convicted Telgi under the Indian Penal Code and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

He was earlier punished in four other fake stamp paper cases in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Ms. Bhedi announced the sentence after Telgi pleaded guilty with tearful eyes and folded hands.

His wife Shahida, one of the 68 chargesheeted accused, who was flown in from Bangalore, also broke down but she pleaded “not guilty” stating she did not know about her husband’s deeds.

Telgi and others were accused of printing and selling counterfeit revenue stamp papers with a face value of thousands of crores.

He had organised a crime syndicate to run the racket in about a dozen States.

The case, which came to light in 2002, rocked Maharashtra as allegations flew thick and fast that Telgi could indulge in such a scandal only because of political patronage.

As Telgi broke down, pleaded for mercy and begged the pardon of society, his lawyer Harshad Nimbalkar urged the court to be compassionate in view of his health and HIV-positive state.

He said that the sentence should not exceed 7-10 years.

Opposing the plea, CBI lawyer Raja Thakre said Telgi was shedding crocodile tears. “He has caused a great loss to the exchequer and if he is shown any leniency, it would send a wrong message that one could get away with the crime of such a magnitude.” Counsel demanded that he be sent to jail for 20 years and fined Rs. 120 crore.

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