Karwar (Karnataka): Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna today (Dec 20, 2003) asserted that neither he nor any of the State Ministers would interfere in the investigations of the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam by the Special Investigation Team (StampIT).

"There is not going to be any interference in the investigations either by the Chief Minister, by the Home Minister or any of the Ministers concerned. The investigations will be free, proper and fair," Krishna told reporters after inaugurating the Coastal Investors Meet.

Asked about alleged links of Rehan Baig, brother of Karnataka Minister for Small Scale Industries Roshan Baig, with the scam, Krishna said the law would take its own course.

He said Roshan Baig had already clarified in the Assembly that "if Rehan Baig is found guilty, he should be hanged and I am not responsible for his deeds".

Referring to the allegations made by the lawyer of mastermind Abdul Karim Telgi against Roshan Baig and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Krishna said, "There seems to be a force behind the lawyer meeting the Deputy Prime Minister. It should be read between the lines."

"The law of the land will take its course. Regardless of who it is, no one against whom credible evidence is provided shall never be spared," he said.

Asserting that Karnataka was the first State to ban stamp paper following the detection of the scam, he said nearly 70 people have been arrested, the Special Court constituted and 10 chargesheets filed. "Three more chargesheets will be filed in the next few days," Krishna said.

Calling for closer co-operation between the various investigation agencies like StampIT, CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), Maharashtra Police and the Andhra Pradesh Police in the fake stamp paper scam, Krishna said, "All of us should exchange information with their counterparts. After all, they belong to the Indian police fraternity."

"We will have to unearth the scam and prosecute those who are responsible," Krishna said, even as he reiterated Karnataka's stand of not handing over the investigations to CBI.

"We will have to wait for the apex court verdict (on handling over investigations to CBI) on January 8," he said.