Should CBI step in to try Kareem Lala?

bangalore: are the bangalore police competent enough to investigate cases against country's biggest white-collar criminal abdul kareem telegi alias kareem lala, the kingpin in the stamp paper racket which runs into several crores of rupees? ``kareem lala's counterfeit stamp paper racket is spread all over the country. he has been operating for the last 10 years.the bangalore police are overworked and do not have expertise to deal with a case of this magnitude. hence, investigation by a professional organisation like the cbi is the need of the hour,'' a senior police officer said. the racket has eaten into the country's exchequer. the police investigation has revealed that financial institutions, multinational banks, nationalised banks, industrial houses, stamp vendors, stock-brokers, insurance companies and individuals have purchased stamp papers, court fee stamps, insurance adhesives and revenue stamps required for transaction from kareem lala. the value may run into crores of rupees. ``the city police have a list of unsolved sensational cases. only the cbi, not even the cod, can handle such a case,'' the officer said. the sources said bangalore police commissioner h.t. sangliana interrogated kareem lala on friday to know where he got the papers printed, who his accomplices are, where the ill-gotten wealth is, whether he has movable and immovable properties and connections with underworld, politicians and police officers. there are cases against kareem lala in bangalore, hyderabad, visakhapatnam, mumbai, indore and new delhi. he has told the police he got stamp papers printed from a kolkata press. he owns half-a-dozen properties in bangalore, besides commercial buildings in mumbai, khanapur and belgaum (his native place); he also owns property in benami names. ``kareem lala has moles in the city police department. with their help, he managed to evade arrest for the last five years.'' an officer said all cases pending against kareem lala be handed over to the cbi for better, and speedy, results.