Bangalore, Dec 26: Karnataka government today decided to hand over investigations in the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam to CBI. The decision to seek a CBI probe into the scandal was taken after a five-hour-long cabinet meeting, which debated the issue threadbare.

Emerging from the meeting, home minister M Mallikarjun Kharge said "the state cabinet has decided to hand over the case to CBI with a view to constructively respond to the Centre's plea for an investigation by a centralised agency".

"It is in national interest when the Union Government is going before the Supreme Court requesting that cases relating to the scam come under an umbrella for investigation," the minister told a press conference. In pursuant of this, the state has taken the decision, he said.
Kharge made it clear that the decision to refer the scam for CBI probe was not taken under pressure or out of fear.

Union Finance Minister Jaswant Singh had said in the Rajya Sabha on December 19 that the government would request the Supreme Court for an investigation into the racket by a centralised agency. Bureau REport