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Journalism of Courage
Abdul Karim Telgi, prime accused in the multi-crore fake stamps scam, could also be involved in adulteration of petrol and diesel across the state, investigations have revealed.
The fact came to light after CBI sleuths under Joint Director D. Sivanandhan raided 31 petrol pumps across Maharashtra today. A senior CBI officer told The Indian Express that the teams have stumbled upon vital evidence which could lead them to Telgi’s associates. ‘‘Some of the petrol pumps were secretly owned by Telgi. A clear picture will emerge after routine procedures have been completed,’’ the officer said.
According to CBI sources, some of the petrol pumps are owned by oil baron, Antim Totla, who is accused of being Telgi’s cash conduit.
The agency officials confirmed they conducted search operations at Shiva Organic Ltd near Wada in Thane district. Similar operations were carried out on R.S. Carrier and oil tankers near Mokashi Pada on Mumbra-Panvel Highway.
The officials impounded more than 15 oil tankers, whose seals were tampered. Punjab Petrol Pump near Sheel Phata on the Mumbai-Goa Highway and Diamond Petrol Pump and R.K. Petrol Pump in Bhiwandi were raided. Search operations were carried out at petrol pumps in Kalapur, Sonegaon, Nagpur and Vasco-da-Gama in Goa today.
It is not clear whether CBI was tipped off by SIT officials who have questioned Totla in the stamps scam case. The modus operandi matches SIT findings. The baron runs a fleet of tankers and trucks across Maharashtra and into Goa. Totla’s business includes distributing kerosene and furnace oil through petrol pumps in Thane.
