Telgi scam: 'Bhujbal failed to curb corruption in police force'

Opposition leaders in Maharashtra on Monday met Governor Mohammed Fazal demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam and 'immediate' removal of Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal for his 'failure' to control corruption in the police force.

The delegation said, "It was shocking to learn that prime accused Abdul Karim Telgi had enjoyed all comforts while in police custody."

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The opposition leaders said the Special Investigating Team was doing a good job in conducting the ongoing probe into the scam but it had its own limitations as its jurisdiction was confined to Maharashtra. Since the scam was spread across eight states, it would be appropriate to hand over the probe to the CBI.

Outside Raj Bhavan, Leader of Opposition in the state council Nitin Gadkari told reporters that he had submitted evidence to SIT chief S S Puri about Telgi's associate handing over Rs 20 crore to a politician.

Others in the delegation included Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Narayan Rane, Shiv Sena leader Madhukar Sarpotdar and BJP leaders Eknath Kharse, Bhai Girkar, Vinod Tawade and Raj Purohit.

Later, Bhujbal called on the governor and apprised him about the probe into the scandal.

Emerging from the 45-minute meeting, Bhujbal, who also holds the home portfolio, told mediapersons, "As opposition leaders had met the governor, I thought it proper to put forth my views as well."

He asserted that no one, including Mumbai Police Commissioner R S Sharma, would be spared if found guilty. "The government will not shield anybody or ask the SIT to go slow against anyone."

Chief Minister's Sushilkumar Shinde is expected to meet Fazal on Tuesday.