Govt to blame for Telgi aide’s bail

Delay by the state government in appointing the new judge at the special court trying the fake stamp papers scam cases involving Abdul Karim Telgi, has led to grant of bail to Telgi’s manager.

“The trial has come to a standstill as the government has not yet issued notification assigning a court to hear the case,” Justice AM Thipsay of the Bombay high court observed while granting bail to Inam Chaudhary last  week. Chaudhary, who had been absconding since 1999, was arrested on March 22 this year. 

Special Judge Chitra Bedi, who was hearing all the stamp  paper scam cases, was transferred in April this year but no  new judge replaced her.

“This is not proper. If the judge has been transferred,  the government should have issued a notification  assigning the case to another court immediately. There cannot be an inordinate delay,” justice Thipsay remarked.

Chaudhary, accused of aiding Telgi and being one of  conspirators in production and distribution of fake stamp papers, was granted bail on the surety of Rs2 lakh. He will have to remain present at Economic Offences Wing of the CBI every day for a month.

Public prosecutor Pradip Gharat said the necessary notification was likely to be issued within two weeks.