Ex-cop chief gets notice; handover of probe faces fire

The Centre’s decision to hand over the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam inquiry to the CBI is likely to be opposed in the Bombay HC to...

The Centre’s decision to hand over the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam inquiry to the CBI is likely to be opposed in the Bombay HC tomorrow by at least two of the five petitioners who have alleged lopsided investigations.

In a related development, the state Home Department issued a notice to former Mumbai Police Commissioner R.S. Sharma, seeking explanation on charges levelled against him by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), four days ahead of his retirement.

	CBI handling 6 cases

			CHENNAI: CBI director P.C. Sharma said here that the agency was dealing with one case each from Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Nasik’s Indian Security Printing Press and two cases from Gazipur in Uttar Pradesh.In Gujarat, four people had been arrested and the involvement of Rs 9 crore in the scam detected. It was established that Abdul Karim Telgi was the mastermind behind the scam in Maharastra and Karnataka, Sharma said. (ENS)

Lawyer of petitioner Anna Hazare, Majeed Memon, said the CBI had initially opposed Hazare’s plea to take up the probe. ‘‘The sudden willingness shown by the CBI now to take up probe might have political overtones,’’ he said.

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When Memon had asked for a CBI probe, both the state and CBI opposed it. The SIT continued its investigations under retired police officer S.S.Puri. Memon will oppose the transfer as investigations are almost complete.

Another petitioner Prashant Surve said a handover may delay the inquiry. He filed an affidavit yesterday, demanding that the action taken report and police reports be made public.

On the notice served to Sharma, Chief Secretary Ajit Nimbalkar said: ‘‘Further action will be taken after the government receives his reply.’’ The state is to apprise the high court on its reaction to the latter’s directives after the SIT report on Sharma tomorrow.