SC grants bail to ex-Dy Supdt in Telgi scam

The probe agency had alleged that Ranjane had provided all type of support to Telgi and his crime syndicate.

The Supreme Court has granted bail to a government official who was booked by the CBI for allegedly helping Abdul Karim Telgi in the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam case.

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A Bench comprising Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justice PK Balasubramanyan recently allowed the bail petition of Babanrao Tukaram Ranjane, who was nabbed on December 12, 2003 and booked under the stringent provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MOCOCA) for rendering support to the kingpin Telgi in printing and supply of the fake stamps.

The probe agency had alleged that Ranjane, then posted as the Deputy Superintendent of Stamps, had provided all type of support to Telgi and his crime syndicate.

Opposing his bail bid, the CBI had alleged that he had deliberately not taken any action against the stamp vendors who were working for Telgi.

The apex court, considering the period of detention of Ranjane, held his case to be fit for the grant of bail.

The bench asked the accused to furnish the personal bond and produce two sureties of Rs one lakh each.

Earlier, the special MOCOCA court had rejected the bail plea of the accused after considering the relevant material which allegedly indicated his involvement in the offence.