Fake stamp paper scam accused pleads guilty

CHENNAI: In a significant development, one of the accused in the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam cases, in which Abdul Karim Telgi is the prime accused, pleaded guilty before a Special Court here on Tuesday.

When the case came up for hearing before CBI Judge N Velu, Sarfraz Nawaz, one of the accused in the case, filed a petition, pleading guilty.

However, under the provisions of law, this petition will be taken up and orders passed only after framing of charges against the accused.

Nawaz and Balaji, lodged in Central Prison in Bangalore, were produced before the court by the police. The police also produced another accused Peter Kennedy, who is lodged in Central Prison, Chennai.

The judge extended the remanded of Telgi, Jacob Chako and Abdul Wahid, who were lodged in Pune Prison, till July 26, through video conferencing.

The remaining accused, Nizamuddin, suspended DIG Md.Ali and DSP Shankar, Ramasamy Sathu (LIC agent) and Nasneen appeared before the judge.

Following a plea from Special Public Prosecutor Jacob Daniel, seeking time to file counter, the judge posted to July 26, the hearing on the petition filed by Telgi and three others, to produce them before court, so as to enable them to consult their counsel.

A total of 11 persons had been chargesheeted by the CBI in connection with the case relating to printing and cirulating fake stamp papers in Tamil Nadu.