Pune, July 19: Samajwadi Janata Party MLA, Anil Gote, held for his alleged complicity in the Rs 3,500 crore stamp paper racket case, was today remanded to judicial custody till July 28 by a special court here. Gote is the first politician to be arrested in the scam. He was taken into custody on June 30 under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) for his alleged role in the crime.

Counsel for the MLA urged the court to allow the MLA to attend the legislative proceedings in Mumbai under police escort.

When the court asked the special prosecutor whether he had any objections, the latter replied that he would have to consult the advocate general of Maharashtra in this regard.
The court then asked the government to give its submissions at the earliest.

Gote allegedly had links with the prime accused in the multi-crore fake stamp paper racket Abdul Karim Telgi and is suspected to have participated in the conspiracy in the counterfeit stamps and stamp paper racket.

The prosecution has charged Gote, who is a sitting MLA from Dhule, of using political clout to help the organised syndicate of Telgi.
After Gote's arrest, the police also searched the MLA's house and offices in Dhule.

Bureau Report