SAGE UNIVERSITY, INDORE
Institude of journalism and mass communication
Telgi Ghotaala
Prepared by:Rimi Bala Guided by:Prof. Sankalp Sanjay
The Telgi Ghotala – India’s Stamp
Paper Scam
A professional case study on
India’s biggest financial fraud
Introduction
• India’s largest financial frauds.
--Mastermind
--Abdul Kalam Telgi
• Involved counterfeit stamp papers
worth ₹30,000–32,000 crore.
• Shook the trust
--Indian financial
--legal systems.
Who was Abdul Karim Telgi?
• Abdul Kalam Telgi was born in 1961 in Belgaum,
Karnataka.
• His background:-
-poor
-funded studies
-was used to sell fruits.
• Work place
-- Saudi Arabia
-- came back to India.
• Initial Stage
-- forged passports
-- stamp papers
Modus {manner} Operation
• Resources initiated
**Obtained license [sold stamp
papers]
**Acquired printing machines from
Nashik Security Press (via
bribery).
** Produced high-quality fake
stamp papers.
**Distributed via a network of 300
agents across India.
** Created artificial shortage of
genuine stamp papers.
Scale and Reach
• Time line
** Scam ran for over a decade
(1992–2002).
• Estimated area
**Spread across Maharashtra,
Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi & more.
• Estimated value of scam:
**₹30,000–32,000 crore.
** Affected banks, insurance firms,
stock brokers, and the public.
The Scam Unravels
• First exposure by [STAMPIT]
** in 2000 during a police raid.
** fake papers seized worth 9 crore
**Abdul Karim Telgi arrested in
November 2001.
** Confessed involvement of politicians
and officials.
**Special Investigation Team (STAMPIT)
was formed.
Legal Consequences
• Outcomes after exposure
** Telgi sentenced to 30 years
rigorous imprisonment in 2006.
**Additional 13 years added
in 2007 + ₹202 crore fine.
** politicians, police, and
bureaucrats implicated.
** 67 officials arrested by
Special Investigating Team
Aftermath & Legacy
• Points to be noted
-Abdul Karim Telgi died in 2017
due to illness.
-- Scam led to reforms [changes]
e-stamping system.
-- Symbol of systemic corruption.
-- Inspired books, documentaries,
and the web series ‘Scam 2003’
Conclusion
• Details assembled
**deep-rooted corruption.
** Highlighted loopholes (legal &
financial systems)
**Led to adoption of technology to
prevent future frauds.
**Serves as a cautionary tale against
white-collar crime.
Credits
• Sources:
- Wikipedia: Abdul Karim Telgi
- Business Standard: Telgi Scam Articles
- The Law Advice: Telgi Scam Overview
- Hindustan Times: Coverage of Telgi Scam
- HarperCollins India: Telgi Scam Book
References
* Presentation prepared by: Rimi Bala
