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Abdul Karim Telgi, kingpin of the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam, dies

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9 years ago

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Abdul Karim Telgi

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Telgi was sentenced to 30 years rigorous imprisonment in 2006 and slapped with a fine of Rs202 crore, he had been lodged in a Bengaluru prison for the past 16 years

Abdul Karim Telgi, kingpin of the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam that made international headline nearly two decades ago, died of multiple organ failure at a government hospital in Bengaluru on Thursday.

According to a report by news agency PTI, the 56-year-old Telgi died around 3.55pm at Bengaluru’s Victoria Hospital, where he had been admitted with meningitis a few days ago.

According to the doctors, the high-profile convict was on ventilator and life support after he suffered a multiple organ failure.

Telgi was sentenced to 30 years rigorous imprisonment in 2006, besides being slapped with a whopping fine of Rs202 crore. He had been lodged in the Parapana Agrahara central jail in Bengaluru for the last 16 years.

The fake stamp-paper scam kingpin was arrested in Ajmer in November 2001 in connection with the fraud that was estimated to be worth several crore of rupees. Between 1992 and 2002, investigative agencies had filed a total of 12 cases against Telgi relating to counterfeit stamps in Maharashtra alone. As many as 15 cases on similar charges had been filed against him in other parts of the country and it was believed that his fake stamp paper racket extended across a dozen Indian states.

Son of a Class 4 railways employee, Abdul Karim Telgi, was first arrested in 1991 by Mumbai Police for cheating. However, the years that followed saw a meteoric rise in his social, criminal and financial profile.

According to reports published by various media organisations when Telgi was arrested and later convicted in the scam, he had acquired a stamp paper licence in 1994 and, apparently through his political connections cutting across party lines, had procured machinery from Nashik Security Press which had been declared as ‘junk’.

Telgi and his aides made use of equipment discarded by the India Security Press (ISP) at Nashik and were able to get the assistance of technical personnel, both serving and retired, of the ISP. In a short span of time, Telgi and his henchmen obtained raw materials, such as specialty paper needed for printing the stamp papers, from sources that supplied the ISP and affixed the same security marks as used by the Security Press. Over the next few months Telgi started printing counterfeit stamp papers, judicial court fee stamps, non-judicial stamps, revenue stamps, special adhesive stamps, notarial stamps, foreign bills, brokers notes, insurance policies, share transfer certificates and insurance agency stamps.

According to reports in the Financial Express, Telgi used to sell these fake stamps to bulk purchasers, including banks, insurance companies, and stock brokerage firms. He had appointed as many as 350 people as agents who sold his counterfeit stamps and other documents to bulk purchasers.

Though Telgi had been convicted in the fake stamp paper case over a decade ago, the exact monetary estimate of the scam that he had managed to pull off is not known till date. The initial value of the fraud had been estimated to be around Rs 2000 crore. In the years that followed after his con was exposed and investigated, this estimate rose to a whopping Rs 26000 crore. Some investigators have even pegged the scam to be worth Rs 32000 crore.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant among 32 inducted in Bihar cabinet expansion

Nishant Kumar entered the Bihar cabinet for the first time as 32 ministers from NDA allies took oath in a major expansion of the state government.

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3 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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Bihar government cabinet

A major cabinet expansion took place in Bihar on Thursday, with 32 leaders from the ruling NDA alliance inducted into the state government. Among the prominent names was Nishant Kumar, son of former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who entered the cabinet for the first time.

The expansion included representatives from all major NDA allies in the state. According to reports, the BJP secured 15 ministerial berths, while JD(U) got 13 positions. Two ministers were inducted from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), while Hindustani Awam Morcha and Rashtriya Lok Morcha received one berth each.

The oath-taking ceremony was held in Patna in the presence of senior NDA leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Nishant Kumar’s induction comes weeks after he formally entered active politics. His entry into the Bihar cabinet is being viewed as a significant development for JD(U), which had long projected an anti-dynasty image under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.

The cabinet reshuffle follows Nitish Kumar’s move to the Rajya Sabha earlier this year and the formation of the government led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

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PM Modi marks Operation Sindoor anniversary, calls it India’s firm stand against terrorism

PM Modi said Operation Sindoor showcased India’s firm response against terrorism while paying tribute to the armed forces on the operation’s first anniversary.

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8 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s firm response against terrorism and highlighted the country’s commitment to national security.

Marking one year of the operation, the Prime Minister praised the courage, precision and professionalism of the Indian armed forces. He said the military action was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that had claimed the lives of 26 civilians in 2025.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, as a calibrated tri-services operation targeting terror infrastructure linked to cross-border terrorism. Reports said the operation showcased coordinated action by the armed forces and was seen as a major counter-terror response by India.

On the anniversary of the operation, PM Modi also changed the display pictures across his social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The image carried the text “Operation Sindoor” along with the Indian tricolour design.

The Indian Air Force also shared visuals and messages recalling the operation and highlighting India’s military response. A video released by the force described the operation as a strong message against terrorism and referred to the precision strikes carried out during the mission.

Operation Sindoor was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack, after which India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to official statements and reports published at the time.

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Vijay meets Tamil Nadu Governor again as TVK pushes to prove majority

TVK chief Vijay held another meeting with Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar as the party intensified efforts to secure majority support after emerging as the single-largest party in the Assembly elections.

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8 hours ago

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May 7, 2026

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Actor vijay

Actor-turned-politician Vijay met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar again on Thursday as his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), continued efforts to prove it has enough support to form the next government in the state.

TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly after winning 108 seats, but it remains short of the majority mark of 118.

The Congress has extended support to TVK, adding five MLAs to Vijay’s side. However, the alliance still needs additional backing from other parties or independents to comfortably cross the halfway mark.

According to reports, the Governor has not yet been fully convinced that TVK currently has the required numbers to form a stable government. This has delayed clarity over the swearing-in ceremony and the formal invitation to form the government.

Political activity intensified after reports emerged that some AIADMK legislators were moved to a resort in Puducherry amid speculation over possible support to TVK. AIADMK leaders, however, publicly denied any internal crisis.

TVK sources have expressed confidence that the party will be able to demonstrate majority support during discussions with the Governor.

The Tamil Nadu election results marked a major political shift in the state, with TVK breaking the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in its first Assembly election contest.

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