Scam 2003
The Telgi Story Debuts on September 1 with Hansal Mehta at the Helm Hansal Mehta, the creative genius behind the immensely popular web series Scam 1992, takes the reins as the creative director for the second installment of the Scam franchise, Scam 2003 – The Telgi Story. This highly anticipated series draws inspiration from Sanjay Singh’s investigative work, ‘Telgi Scam: Reporter’s ki Diary,’ and will be exclusively available for streaming on SonyLIV. In this article, we delve into the intriguing life of Abdul Karim Telgi, the central character upon whom the story is based.
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Abdul Karim Telgi: The Notorious Mastermind of India’s Infamous Counterfeiting Scandal
In India, the name Telgi resonates with infamy, as Abdul Karim Telgi emerged as the mastermind behind one of the nation’s most notorious counterfeiting scandals. Born in 1961, Telgi’s life was a complex blend of ambition, ingenuity, and criminality, ultimately leading to the creation of a counterfeit empire that sent shockwaves through the country’s financial institutions.
Humble beginnings
Abdul Karim Telgi’s Early Struggles and Transformation
Abdul Karim Telgi’s formative years were marred by adversity. His father, an employee of the Indian Railways, passed away during his childhood, forcing Telgi to sell fruits and vegetables on trains to support his education. Afterward, Telgi ventured to Saudi Arabia for several years. However, he returned to India with a drastically different pursuit in mind—entering the world of counterfeiting.
The Counterfeit Empire
At the outset, Telgi’s illicit endeavors centered around the forgery of passports. He went as far as establishing a company, Arabian Metro Travels, with the primary aim of facilitating the migration of laborers to Saudi Arabia. Under his operation, counterfeit documents were manufactured, enabling laborers to sidestep immigration inspections, a clandestine practice referred to as ‘pushing’ within the industry.
However, Telgi swiftly transitioned to a far more lucrative enterprise—counterfeiting stamp paper. He assembled a network of 300 agents tasked with peddling these fraudulent documents to major buyers such as banks, insurance companies, and stock brokerage firms. The sheer magnitude of this operation was staggering, with estimates suggesting it reached an astounding ₹30,000 crore.
The law catches up
The enormity of the scandal went beyond imagination, ensnaring numerous police officers and government officials in its web of corruption. In 2006, Telgi was finally handed a harsh sentence of 30 years of rigorous imprisonment. A year later, in 2007, he faced yet another 13-year sentence, coupled with a hefty fine of ₹202 crore.
Personal life and demise
Telgi was notorious for his extravagant lifestyle, which often involved frequent visits to dance bars. Rumors circulated that he was deeply enamored with a bar dancer named Tarannumn Khan. According to reports, he once splurged a staggering ₹90 lakh in a single evening, showering his affection on the dancer at the bar.
Tragically, Telgi’s life met an untimely conclusion in 2017, succumbing to meningitis, aggravated by longstanding health problems like diabetes and hypertension. In the end, Abdul Karim Telgi emerged as a complex figure—a person who originated from humble beginnings and ascended to construct an empire, albeit one founded on a morally precarious foundation.