Bangalore: Karnataka Government today (November 18) reiterated its "firm stand" not to refer the multi- crore fake stamp paper scam to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a probe into it.

"We have already completed the investigation. The special court will begin trial in about 8 to 10 days", Karnataka Home Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge told reporters when asked whether the state would refer the scandal to CBI in the light of the Allahabad High Court directive to the centre to enquiry into the racket.

Kharge expressed surprise over repeated demands by opposition parties for a CBI probe into the racket, even after the state Government made repeated declarations on its resolve against seeking the Central agency help in the probe.

Since the special team “STAMPIT” had completed the investigation, no purpose would be served in asking the CBI to investigate it now, Kharge said.

The STAMPIT has already filed ten chargesheets against the accused persons including the alleged kingpin Abdul Karim Telgi and one more would be filed soon, he said.

The Chief Justice of the State High Court, N K Jain has accepted the Government plea for setting up a special court to try the accused in fake stamp paper scam and a judge was expected to be named soon.

Kharge said in other states, including in Maharastra, the police were still investigating and no charge sheets had been filed so far.

He however said if CBI sought any information, the state was willing to co-operate.

PTI