Abdul Karim Telgi among 7 sentenced to 4 years rigorous impr

 A local court today sentenced seven people, including fake stamp scam mastermind Abdul Karim Telgi, to four years-rigorous imprisonment in connection with multi-crore stamp Scam case of 2001. Additional District and Sessions Judge A B Mahajan found Telgi and six others -- Sirajuddin Nashipude, Samirahmed Abdulajimtulla Telgi, Mohammadmaulali Gaura Singhavee, Mohammadsohail Khalidahmed Sheikhdami (all from Belguam district), Sarjukhan Yusuf Khan (Mumbai) and Jacob Chako Theketela (Panvel) -- guilty under sections 120(b), 258 and 259 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and awarded the punishment. Twenty people were arrested by police on December 17, 2001, in connection with a complaint registered with the city’s Shahupuri police station by United India Assurance company’s administrative officer Ashok Gavade. In the complaint, Mr Gavade had stated that some people were selling fake stamps of the company. During the police investigation, it was revealed that the arrested people were working for Telgi. Thirteen of the 20 arrested accused were sentenced to four-year imprisonment on February 6 this year. All the seven confessed to the crime. Telgi, in his confession stated that he was suffering from blood pressure, kidney ailment and is HIV positive and prayed to the court to award lesser sentence. Whereas, the prosecution asked for maximum punishment.