Discharge of cops in stamp scam not a setback: CBI

Pune, June 27 (UNI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today denied that the discharge of senior police officials, including former Mumbai Police Commissioner R S Sharma, in the stamp scam case, was a ''setback''.

Earlier in a major blow to the CBI, the prosecuting agency in the case, the Special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) Court discharged Sharma, Crime branch Deputy Commissioner of police (DCP) Pradeep Sawant and PI Vashisht Andhale from all charges in this connection.

Talking to reporters, CBI Joint Director Rajnikant Mishra said the agency had ''mixed feelings''.

He denied that the discharge of the cops was a ''setback'' to the agency. ''Consider this. Never before have so many accused -- around 43 in number -- come forward to accept the charges that means there is some merit in the investigation,'' he added.

When asked whether something was lacking in the evidence, he said whatever evidence was there, it was stated.

To another query about the applicability of the MCOCA Act, he said all necessary chargesheets were made and it was in continuation after the CBI took over from the Special Investigations Team (SIT).

When asked why others like Telgi and his coteries were resisting the charges, Mr Mishra said, ''If they accept one charge, some other connections may spill out.'' When asked whether the CBI would appeal, he said he was not the competent authority to decide. ''All facts will be submitted to the government and it was for them to decide,'' he added.

Public Prosecutors Raja Thakre and Avdhoot Chimalkar were also present.

UNI