Telgi in Delhi, to be grilled for 10 days

Telgi was produced in court around 11.30 am amid unprecedented security. Clad in a green cotton shirt, he seemed unfazed as he walked in. There was some drama when he was brought out after the hearing as the wife of an accused confronted him and alleged that it was because of Telgi that her husband had landed in jail. Telgi merely bowed to her and walked away with a smile.

Arguing for Telgi’s CBI remand, special public prosecutor Raja Thakare said the law permitted the CBI to take Telgi into custody for up to 10 days. CBI investigating officer additional superintendent S.K. Peshin submitted that the CBI needed Telgi’s custody for interrogation.

He said Telgi had some more investments and the CBI wanted to verify these assets. The CBI also intends to find out the final destination of the funds generated by selling counterfeit stamps and stamp papers. The CBI would question Telgi on his recorded telephone conversation with a few people, he said.

Telgi initially sought time to make a submission saying his lawyer was expected to arrive from Mumbai. That was because Telgi’s counsels Shrikant Shivde and Girish Kulkarni had withdrawn their vakalatnama, and refused to represent him. However, a few minutes later, Telgi changed his mind. He argued that he is diabetic and his blood sugar had gone up in the morning. He said he needed constant medical supervision.

Peshin and Thakare assured the court that the CBI would consider Telgi’s health condition and provide him medical assistance.