Diamond merchant obtained stamp tickets from a ragpicker in 2003, was trying to sell them off in order to tide over a financial crisis
Diamond merchant obtained stamp tickets from a ragpicker in 2003, was trying to sell them off in order to tide over a financial crisis
The Ghatkopar police have arrested a 45-year-old diamond broker for trying to sell fake stamp tickets worth Rs 66 lakh, suspected to be left over from the Telgi stamp scam.
(From left) The ragpicker and the diamond
trader in police custody yesterday
Cops received a tip-off on Tuesday from an informer, who said that a broker keen on selling revenue stamps had approached him.
Under instructions from the cops, the informer showed interest in the deal, asking the broker, later identified as Rajesh Choksy, to show him samples.
An unsuspecting Choksy reached the designated spot, oblivious that the cops had laid a trap for him.
Upon arrest, he was found to be in possession of fake stamp tickets worth Rs 66 lakh, their denominations varying between Rs 10, Rs 20, and Rs 50.
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"Choksy had been luring customers by telling them the stamps were products of the Telgi scam," said PI Rajkumar Kothmire.
During his interrogation, Choksy revealed that he had obtained the stamps from a ragpicker in 2003. The latter was identified as Raju Kedar (48), who salvaged the tickets from a dustbin in Opera House in 2003.
When Kedar had approached Choksy, the latter decided to sell them, promising that Kedar would receive half the share.
Choksy added that his fear of being nabbed had prevented him from attempting to sell the stamps earlier. A recent financial crisis had spurred him to look for buyers.
Kothmire added, "We have arrested Choksy and Kedar, and will produce them at court today.
We are trying to determine if there are more stamps stashed away somewhere. We will verify if the stamps are products of the Telgi scam."
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