Telgi gets 10 years RI

Special Correspondent

Four accomplices get 1 to 5 years

Trial for five others on February 15

CHENNAI: Abdul Karim Telgi, prime accused in the multicrore fake stamp paper case, was found guilty by a Special Court for CBI Cases here and sentenced to a maximum of 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. A fine totalling Rs. 3 crore was also imposed on him. Four of his accomplices – Abdul Wahid, C.S Balaji, Jacob Chacko and Peter Kennedy – too were convicted by the court and sentenced to undergo imprisonment ranging from one to five years.

Additional Special Judge for CBI Cases N. Velu asked the State Government to confiscate Rs. 28.75 lakh lying in the bank account of Balaji.

In respect of five other accused – suspended Deputy Inspector-General of Police A.P. Mohammed Ali, Inspector S. Sankar, Nizamuddin, Nazneen and Ramasamy Sadhu – the trial will commence on February 15, as they have pleaded not guilty. Sarfraz Nawaz who had pleaded guilty has already been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for five years.

For counterfeiting government stamps, Telgi, was awarded 10-year RI and a fine of Rs. 1 crore was imposed. As for the charges of selling counterfeit stamps and cheating, he was awarded two-year RI each, in addition to Rs. 2 crore fine. Noting that the sentences would run concurrently, the Judge said Telgi’s period of imprisonment served in connection with a Pune court order would be set off against the present sentence. As Abdul Wahid and Jacob Chacko too were convicted by the Pune court, their present sentence of five-year of RI each would be set off against the prison term already served. Mr. Velu, noting that the accused were involved in counterfeiting and selling Government stamps, judicial stamp papers, court fee stamps and non-judicial stamp papers, said they cheated the public as well as the Government. He also severely condemned their criminal activities, saying it had jolted the economy.

According to the prosecution, Telgi used to send fake stamp papers by courier or through messengers from Mumbai, and they were stocked on premises in Anna Nagar N. Block and at Shenoy Nagar. Mr. Mohammed Ali and Mr. Sankar, the CBI said, abused their official position and facilitated the sale of fake stamps and stamp papers in Chennai and other areas.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/31/stories/2008013156630100.htm