Telgi approaches HC with bail plea

Citing State Police manual, which has provision to release a convict, who has served a certain amount of time behind bars, stamp paper racket kingpin seeks freedom or bail

Telgi approaches HC with bail plea

Citing State Police manual, which has provision to release a convict, who has served a certain amount of time behind bars, stamp paper racket kingpin seeks freedom or bail

Fake stamp paper racket kingpin Abdul Karim Telgi, who has served nine and a half years in prison has approached the High Court seeking to be released on compassionate grounds, or at least to be granted bail to get his daughter married.

In his application, Telgi has cited the state police manual, which has provision to release a convict who has served a maximum eight and half years in prison.

"Since I have served a term close to 10 years, the authorities may consider my bail application and release him on compassionate grounds, six months in advance," Shankarappa, counsel who appeared Telgi's behalf, said.

In the application, Shankarappa stated that Telgi, who has been booked in about 42 cases around the country and 10 cases in the state, has been convicted in six cases and acquitted in four.

Since November 2001 he has been in jail, and presently suffers from various ailments. In his petition, Telgi informed that his wife was not well and that he also needed to arrange his daughter's marriage.

Majority of those booked as the co accused in the case were released earlier, either on completing their sentences, or were out on bail.

"Since the maximum punishment awarded for the offence is 10 years, I need a consideration to be released on bail, at least six months in advance," Telgi said.

Considering his plea, the HC directed the prison authorities to submit a report on his health condition and adjourned the matter to May 31.