Sunday, April 3 2005 11:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: A special CBI court would deliver order on the discharge plea of Abdul Karim Telgi, prime accused in the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam, and his two associates tomorrow (Apr 4, 2005).

After delivering the order on Telgi's plea for discharge, special judge U D Salvi would decide on framing of charges against Telgi and his associates Sanjay Gaikwad and Ramratan Soni in the case pertaining to fake stamp seizure in 1995.

If the court frames charges against Telgi in this case, then it would be the first case, out of 48 cases all over India, in which charges would be framed against him (Telgi).

Telgi's lawyers had earlier contended that Telgi was not involved in selling fake stamps in this case.

"The reports of the Indian Security Press that verified the seized stamp papers stated that stamps were genuine. Even reports of Forensic Laboratory at Mumbai had confirmed that they were genuine," they submitted.

The counsel argued that police, State CID, SIT and CBI, that have been carrying out the investigation in the fake stamp paper cases, have not made any recovery from Telgi.

Gaikwad's lawyer Rajiv Sawant argued that CBI has not shown any material against his client.

Special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat opposed Telgi's discharge plea stating that Telgi had violated the laws by promising a company, Poornanad, that he would sell them special adhesive stamps, which were available only at the General Stamp Office counters located in downtown Fort and suburban Bandra.