Karnataka minister quits, Bhujbal kin to be grilled today

The multi-crore fake stamp paper scam is set to hot up again, with the scandal claiming its first political victim in Karnataka and the Spec...

The multi-crore fake stamp paper scam is set to hot up again, with the scandal claiming its first political victim in Karnataka and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) finally issuing summons to Chhagan Bhujbal’s nephew for questioning in Maharashtra.

On the eve of the start of the legislature session, where the Opposition threatened to raise a storm over the issue, Karnataka Small Scale Industries Minister R. Roshan Baig tendered his resignation. Till late in the evening, there was no confirmation of whether Chief Minister S.M. Krishna had accepted the resignation or not, and sources said he make two more days to decide.

Calls for Baig’s resignation had been growing, especially since his brother Rehan surrendered over links with the alleged kingpin of the scam, Abbul Karim Telgi, recently. Rehan has admitted he was a partner in Telgi’s kerosene business but has claimed he knew nothing about his stamp scam dealings.

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In Maharashtra, the SIT has called the nephew as well as erstwhile aide of Bhujbal, who recently quit as deputy CM following the scam allegations, for questioning at its Worli office on Monday. While Sameer is still not back from the US, S.K. Bankar (Bhujbal’s private secretary when he was deputy CM) is expected to appear.

Sameer is in the US since December 5 as part of a delegation of the Mumbai Educational Trust controlled by Bhujbal.The SIT’s decision to question Sameer is significant as Bhujbal has all along maintained that neither he nor any member of his family was involved in the scam.

Sameer is likely to be questioned on his close ties with controversial oil baron Antim Totla, while Bankar—who is now serving the office of new Deputy Chief Minister Vijaysinh Mohite Patil—may have been summoned as he reportedly looks after posting and transfers of non-IPS officials.

Rehan is currently in SIT custody and being subjected to a narcoanalysis test. He has told officials the charges are a plot hatched against his brother to end his political career.

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In its sustained attack on Baig, the BJP had even produced a copy of the polygraph test conducted on an accused in the stamp scam, Mohammed Hammed Salik, where he apparently revealed that Telgi used to meet Minister Roshan Baig frequently in Bangalore hotels. However, Baig had denied the charges and later even disowned his brother.

The Krishna government had also fended off all demands of Baig’s dismissal, stating there was no evidence to prove his links with Telgi.