The Hindu : StampIT calls for foolproof codes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 25, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

StampIT calls for foolproof codes

By B.S. Ramesh

BANGALORE Oct. 24. The Stamp Investigation Team (StampIT), which is investigating the multi-crore-rupee stamp paper racket, has written to the Union Government urging it to make the security codes on stamps and stamp papers foolproof.

These recommendations were made following the seizures of fake stamps and stamp papers and hundreds of crores of rupees in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and other places. The seizures of fake stamp papers are still continuing.

The Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation (KSPHC), R. Sri Kumar, who heads StampIT, told The Hindu on Thursday that he had already written to the Centre on making the security codes on stamps (judicial and non-judicial stamps, and government and revenue stamps) and stamp papers foolproof.

He said the main accused in the stamp paper racket, Abdul Karim Telgi, alias Karim Lala, and his associates had managed to print, emboss, and frank fake stamps and stamp papers, as they were very easy to fabricate.

Sophisticated equipment was used to print fake stamps of almost all categories and Karim Lala and his gang began operating in a very big way. It was on August 19, 2000 that the Chickpet police seized fake stamps, stamp papers, and embossing and franking equipment with a face value of Rs. 12 crore in Bangalore. Besides, Rs. 45 lakh in cash was also seized.

The investigation into the case became more vigorous when it was handed over to StampIT. Investigations revealed that the Karim Lala gang had been operating for several years and their area of operation extended beyond Karnataka.

More importantly, Karim Lala and his associates used computers not only to maintain accounts but also send out instructions in some cases. The computers have been seized and the contents are being thoroughly examined by experts.

With seizures of fake stamps and stamp papers being reported from many parts of the country, including Maharashtra and Gujarat, the StampIT officials, who are worried about the impunity with which these have been circulated, have urged the Centre to make the security codes more difficult to fake.

A meeting between StampIT officials and Union Government officials was held recently in which the latter reacted positively to the suggestion. Besides, they also urged the cellular phone companies to screen persons who applied for pre-paid SIM cards.

Mr. Sri Kumar said StampIT's investigation had led to the seizure of fake stamps and stamp papers worth nearly Rs. 2,000 crore. The team had filed a petition before the court seeking custody of Karim Lala who is currently lodged in the open-air jail at Parapanna Agrahara, Bangalore.

Besides, it has sought the transfer of the Madivala case and the Hubli seizure case from the police. Incidentally, StampIT has filed four charge-sheets against Lala and his associates and they do not rule out filing additional charge-sheets as more information filters in about the various criminal activities of Lala and his associates.

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