Bangalore, Nov 22: A court here today refused to release the alleged kingpin in the multi-crore stamp paper racket, Abdul Kareem Telgi, on parole for a week to visit his ailing mother and wife. The second fast-track session court judge, K Nagaiah Shetty, declined to pass an order, saying that a special court has already been constituted to conduct trial in the case. The judge adjourned further hearing in the case to November 29. In one of the three petitions filed on November 11, Telgi had sought permission to visit his ailing mother and wife at his native place Khanapur in Belgaum district. Counsel for Telgi submitted today that till the official communication on setting up of the special court came, this court can pass appropriate order, an argument rejected by the judge, who pointed out that dailies have carried news pertaining to establishment of the special court.
Karnataka High Court had yesterday -- in pursuant to a request made by the state government to set up a special court -- appointed at Manoli, Mysore district sessions judge, as the special judge to conduct the trial of the case.
Karnataka government had two years ago established a special investigative unit (Stampit) to investigate the case. Ten charge-sheets have been filed and 54 individuals arrested.

"I am confident that with the charge-sheets being committed to the special court, the trial process will commence and justice will be done", Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna said here yesterday. Bureau Report