Stamp paper convict moves HC to reduce sentence

Chennai, Jun 19 (UNI) One of the convicts in the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam today moved the Madras High Court seeking to reduce the sentence awarded by the CBI Special Court in the case.

The appeal petition was filed by C S Balaji, who was handed down seven years Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) in the fake stamp paper scam case, involving the kingpin Abdul Karim Telgi.

Balaji was lodged in Bangalore Central Prison.

In his petition filed by his counsel C S S Pillai, he also wanted the court to fully waive the fine of Rs two crore imposed on him by the trial court.

Admitting the petition, Justice T Suthanthiram ordered notice to the CBI and posted the case for final hearing after two weeks.

In his petition, Balaji said he pleaded guilty in the trial court at the insistence of the CBI, which said the court would give lesser sentence.

''But I was given seven years RI by the trial court,'' he said and pleaded the High Court to reduce the sentence.

After Special Public Prosecutor for CBI N Chandrasekaran, who was present, personally took cognisance of the notice, the Judge posted the matter for final hearing after two weeks.

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