Author: N. P. Phadnis
Publication: Free Press Journal
Date: November 25, 2003
URL: http://www.samachar.com/features/251103-features.html
As expected the CBI has taken over
investigations into the multi-crore fake stamp scam, which is spread to
almost entire country except Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Political considerations
played heavily when two major states where the scam originated opposed
the proposal to hand over the investigations to the CBI. It was just a
matter of time before the CBI took over the investigations of a chain of
operations spread over last decade. However, Maharashtra chief minister
Sushilkumar Shinde and deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal strongly opposed
handing over the investigation to the CBI claiming that the BJP would use
it against the Congress and the NCP.
Karnataka chief minister S.M.Krishna
also supported the move to oppose the CBI and the Congress high command
also aired similar views not realizing that they were falling into the
trap. Unfortunately the political leadership of both these states failed
to understand the gravity of the situation and the reach of the culprits
involved in the fake stamp scam. It was not merely the question of how
much money Abdul Karim Telgi and his henchmen made and how much loot they
shared with police officers, security press officials, politicians and
others to cover up their misdeeds.
It now appears that more than the
BJP leadership which was obviously curious to know what exactly transpired
and how it was executed and who were involved in cover-up operations, it
was the central agencies, which were clearly disturbed over the developments.
The tapes reluctantly handed over by the Karnataka police to Maharashtra
police at the instance of the Mumbai high court throws light on how a well
oiled network of operatives controlled by Telgi could influence the state
government, the Nashik security press, police and politicians.
It was not merely the case of a
few intelligent people joining hands to make a fast buck by producing fake
stamp papers but the money generated played havoc with the system. The
question most of the Central agencies asked each other was where is the
money supposed to be to the tune of Rs 39,000 crores gone. Obviously, this
kind of money is not used for any charitable work, or for any developmental
work but will be used decisively for subversion which poses a threat to
the national security. Part of this money is supposed to have been used
for recent bomb blasts and there appears to be a link between Telgi's network
and the terrorists' outfit.
This presents a horrible picture.
Just imagine, top police officials on the Telgi's list of beneficiaries,
could be used without any impunity to cover up other acts of sabotage and
terrorism. Even before the case is handed over formally by the Central
government to the Central Bureau of investigation, top sleuths of these
agencies were already on job gathering more information on the scam. The
worst fear of the CBI and other intelligence agencies is the possibility
of a link between the Indian underworld based in Dubai and the fake stamp
paper scam.
CBI director P C Sharma minced no
words when he announced that the agency was looking into the ramifications
of the scandal from the national security angle as the money involved in
the scam could be much more than the Rs 39,000 crore already estimated.
A fruit vendor from Khanapur village in Karnataka cannot rise to such a
level without outside help. He has been indulging in small time operations
of fake stamp till 1995, but later he got really organised in a big way
with the assistance from outside agencies. When it comes to finding out
links between Telgi and the terrorists outfit, the Intelligence Bureau
(IB) comes into the picture. As far as laundering of such huge funds is
concerned, obviously the Directorate of Enforcement comes into and with
this backdrop, there was actually no case for either the Maharashtra or
the Karnataka government to oppose CBI investigations.
Shinde has accepted the CBI role
but felt that early approval might have further demoralized the police
officers that were involved in the meticulous job of investigating the
Telgi case. It is just a matter of days now that the CBI takes over the
entire case as the agency has already registered three cases in Andhra
Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat. The Congress leadership in Maharashtra as well
as Karnataka was apprehensive about the role of the CBI at the initial
stages as it felt that with the five states going to polls by this month
end, the CBI might initiate action against some major functionaries of
the party.
The Congress high command also approved
the stand initially, which was also supported by Pawar- led NCP. However,
when Pawar realized the futility of the stand, he quickly shifted his stand
and announced his willingness to hand over the entire investigation to
the CBI. He was convinced that the state alone is not at all in a position
to take on such a gigantic operation of unearthing the real nature of Telgi
scam.
In fact a few top Congress leaders
had warned against such a rigid stand but they were ignored. When they
were given a chance to present their viewpoint it was too late as by then
Pawar had already taken a Uturn. They had suggested that instead of handing
over the investigation to the CBI, a special task force of Central agencies
including CBI, IB, RAW, revenue intelligence, state police should be set
up for better coordination and investigation into the scam. Ultimately
the party has to take into consideration the political impact of the investigation
and at the same time could not avoid its responsibility in cooperating
with the Central agencies.
So far the Special Investigation
Team has arrested and interrogated top police officials who took money
from Telgi and his accomplices to ignore fake stamp cases or provide him
shelter. However, so far there is no mention of names of politicians. It
is common knowledge that unless there is support from the political establishment,
it is not possible either for the police or for the Telgi network to work
without any impunity. The question now discussed in political circles is
who are the politicians who are behind providing protection to Telgi.
Two MLAs, one from Maharashtra and
another from Karnataka are already behind bars and they are being investigated
by SIT. The tapes with the SIT will now provide the real evidence against
the politicians who were really in touch with Telgi. The Karnataka police
have done a wonderful job by taping Telgi's conversations with his operators
as well as all those officers and politicians who helped him. These conversations
were recorded when Telgi was languishing in Karnataka jail. Neither he
nor those who talked to him were aware that they were being watched.
Now these tapes and voices on these
tapes will decide the fate of many small and big political leaders. It
will not be possible for anyone whether in state government or Central
agencies to shield anyone. With the CBI taking over investigations, the
Central government as well as the state governments will be aware of who
are the real culprits. With so much of evidence, which will be later corroborated
by income tax and other agencies, no one should be able to get off the
noose. Involved politicians from Maharashtra are worried about Telgi tapes.
