Two accused in Telgi scam denied bail

Bangalore, Feb 27 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court today declined bail to two, accused in the Telgi fake stamp paper scam.

Mr Justice Mohanshantangoudar, after hearing the rival arguments, dismissed the petitions, observing that there was every likelihood of tampering of witnesses if Jaysimha and Ali Iliyas were released on bail.

The petitioners had sought bail on the ground that there was no likelihood of completion of trial in the immediate future.

The prosecution submitted was that Jayasimha, the Jail Superintendent when Abdul Kareem Telgi, the kingpin of the multi-crore scam, had been housed in the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison here as an undertrial, had assisted Telgi in printing and circulating fake stamp papers, instead of adhering to his duties.

Iliyas had been facing prosecution for entering into a criminal conspiracy with Telgi, lodged in the central prison, and continuing his unlawful business of printing and circulating fake stamp papers.

Special Public Prosecutor Nanjundaiah opposed the bail applications, arguing that the charges have been framed against the petitioners and the trial might conclude within four months as a special court had been created.

UNI