CBI special cell takes over stamp probe

With the Telgi cases in its kitty, the CBI has set up a special cell to initiate probe into the fake stamp paper scam. The cell is likely to...

With the Telgi cases in its kitty, the CBI has set up a special cell to initiate probe into the fake stamp paper scam. The cell is likely to operate from Mumbai and will be led by Joint Director (Economic Offences) Archana Ramsundaram.

Accompanied by a battery of CBI officials, Ramsundaram on Wednesday called on Chief Secretary Ajit Nimbalkar and SIT chief S.S. Puri to chalk out an action plan for completing the probe in a time-bound period.

‘‘It was a professional interaction,’’ Puri said. The former DGP briefed the CBI sleuths on the procedure adopted by SIT while investigating the fake paper scandal. ‘‘We will soon hand over all the documents to the CBI,’’ Puri added.

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According to a senior SIT official, a record number of 25,000 documents will be submitted to the CBI within a week and once the entire exercise is over, the SIT would be wound up. ‘‘We are awaiting instructions on the new posting orders for our sleuths,’’ the official said, adding, while officials below the rank of deputy superintendent will be associated with the CBI, officials of the rank of deputy commissioner of police and above will be repatriated to their original posts.

Chief Secy Nimbalkar said: ‘‘We had a brief discussion with them on the present status of SIT vis-a-vis the probe. We will extend all necessary cooperation to them. Additional Chief Secretary Suresh Kumar and Principal Secretary P.K.B. Chakraborty were also present at the meeting.

In addition, the state government has agreed to provide office space for the special cell as well as vehicles for senior officials.

In Chennai, CBI director U.K. Mishra said the agency has constituted 48 special teams to probe into as many cases across India.

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‘‘The teams are proceeding to all the places to take up the new cases. We have requested the state governments concerned to extend personnel and logistical support to us.’’ However, no time frame could be fixed for completing the probe.