Tuesday, January 17 2006 17:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: The kingpin of multi-crore fake stamps and stamp paper racket Abdul Karim Telgi was today (Jan 17, 2006) convicted by a special court for his role in a 1995 case of selling fake stamps worth Rs 17 lakhs.

This is the first conviction of Telgi who is lodged in Yerwada prison in Pune. He was not present when the judgement was delivered but appeared on television through video conferencing.

The judgement was delivered by special Judge U D Salvi in the jam-packed courtroom.

Telgi's associates Sanjay Gaikwad and Ram Ratan Soni were also convicted.

Telgi, Gaikward and Soni were awarded ten years rigorous imprisonment (RI) and Rs 50,000 fine on the charge of conspiracy.

Prosecutor Pradeep Gharad sought maximum life punishment for the accused but all of them pleaded clemency on humanitarian grounds.

Telgi through video conferencing urged the court to show leniency as he was suffering from HIV/AIDS and his wife was admitted to the hospital.