Wednesday, March 23 2005 17:55 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Abdul Karim Telgi, prime accused in the fake stamps and stamp papers racket, was today (Mar 23, 2005) produced before a special CBI court in Mumbai amidst tight security for framing of charges.

Two associates of Telgi, Ramratan Soni and Sanjay Gaikwad, booked in the same case, were also present in the court.

The three were accused of circulating counterfeit stamp and stamp papers in the market. M R A Marg police station had seized fake stamps and stamp papers from Telgi's associates and registered a case against the trio in 1995.

The court had earlier directed the Superintendent of Yerwada jail, near Pune, to produce prime accused Telgi on March 23 in Mumbai for framing charges.

Prosecution has already submitted draft charges it proposes to frame against the accused under IPC and Stamp Act.

The court is now hearing arguments from both the sides on framing of charges against Telgi and his associates for their alleged complicity in fake stamp paper racket registered by M R A Marg police station, in south Mumbai, in 1995.

Initially M R A Marg police probed the matter which was later transferred to DCB, CID. Finally, CBI took over the case.

Telgi is involved in several such cases of circulating counterfeit stamps and stamp papers in different States.