New Delhi, Dec 02: In what could be a precursor for entertaining a PIL seeking CBI probe into the country-wide Rs 30,000 crore Telgi stamp paper scam, the supreme court today asked the petitioner to make all those states affected by the scam necessary parties in the matter. Giving two weeks time to petitioner Ajay Aggarwal to amend his petition and make all affected states parties, a bench comprising Chief Justice V N Khare, justice Ashok Bhan and justice A R Lakshmanan adjourned hearing on the PIL.

The petitioner had made CBI, Union Government, Karnataka and Maharashtra as respondents in his PIL saying the two states were stalling CBI probe into the scam in which the accused persons circulated fake stamp papers in alleged collusion with top policemen, officials and politicians.

Meanwhile, in an important development, the Centre today said it has decided to seek a directive from the Supreme Court as to whether the Rs 33,000 crore fake stamp paper scam should be investigated by CBI.

"We have decided to seek a directive from the Supreme Court whether CBI should investigate the case," Finance Minister Jaswant Singh told reporters outside Parliament. The Supreme Court also adjourned hearing on another petition filed by one Mukesh Manubhai Vashi seeking transfer of all Telgi related cases pending before various high courts to the apex court. Bureau Report