✦ Celebrity stories, facts and career updates. Explore F4U now →

Home › Biography › Abdul Karim Telgi

Abdul Karim Telgi biographyFeatured Biography

Image source: StarsUnfolded

Celebrities

Abdul Karim Telgi Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 4, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth29 July 1961

Age56 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceKhanapur, Belgaum, Karnataka

ProfessionCounterfeiter

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseShahida Telgi

FamilyDaughter: Sana Talikoti; Parents: Ladsaab Telgi (father), Shariefabee Ladsaab Telgi (mother)

Abdul Karim Telgi Biography

Abdul Karim Ladsaab Telgi was an Indian counterfeiter best known as the central figure in the 2003 stamp paper scam. Born in Khanapur, Belgaum, Karnataka,,

Early life and background

Abdul Karim Ladsaab Telgi was born on 29 July 1961 in Khanapur, Belgaum, Karnataka. He grew up in a family with modest means; his father worked as a class 4 employee in the Indian Railways and died when Karim was a child. To help the household, Karim and his brothers collected and sold fruits at the local railway station and on trains, work that also helped him pay his school fees. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Gogte College of Commerce, Belgaum, in 1984.

After moving to Mumbai in search of work, Telgi held several low-salaried jobs, including roles at an office-furniture supplier and as a manager at a budget guest house. He later went to Saudi Arabia and lived there for about seven years before returning to India.

Career

Telgi initially became involved in the production of forged travel documents. On his return from Saudi Arabia he ran a travel business, Arabian Metro Travels, and used forged documents to help labourers travel abroad. He evolved from that trade into more sophisticated counterfeiting operations, first producing fake passports and visas, and then moving into the large-scale production of counterfeit stamp papers.

Operating under the trade name that included the initials AKL (from his full name), Telgi built an extensive distribution network. He purchased and repaired printing equipment and recruited a large number of agents — reports indicate he had more than 350 people selling forged stamp papers to bulk purchasers such as banks, brokerage firms and insurance companies. The operation spread across multiple Indian states and expanded from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.

Legal action and convictions

Telgi’s activities drew law-enforcement attention in the early 1990s; he was arrested in 1991 in a forgery case and again in 1993 in connection with a visa racket. The scandal that became widely known as the ‘‘Telgi Scam’’ came to public notice in 2001 when police uncovered consignments of fake stamp papers. When investigators intensified their probe, a Special Investigation Team was formed and dozens of people linked to the operation were arrested.

The Central Bureau of Investigation eventually took over the case and filed charges. During investigations, authorities identified numerous bank accounts and multiple properties connected with Telgi. Court proceedings resulted in lengthy prison sentences: in 2006 he was convicted and given a 30-year jail term, and in 2007 he received an additional 13-year sentence and was fined a large sum.

Controversies and related cases

The scam implicated a wide array of intermediaries and officials; investigations and reporting noted the involvement of certain police personnel and other public servants. Telgi was also implicated in a separate criminal matter: in 2006 he and several associates were charged in the killing of Christopher Bhatti, a driver who had worked for him. They pleaded guilty in that case.

While imprisoned, reports indicated continuing legal troubles for Telgi, including actions by the Income Tax Department and allegations that he had access to contraband communication devices in custody. Authorities seized assets in efforts to recover fines and unpaid dues.

Public profile

Telgi’s life and the scale of the stamp-paper operation drew significant public attention. Activists and political figures demanded accountability, and the case prompted court petitions and wide media coverage. Over time many of the complex legal outcomes led to additional litigation and review of seized assets.

Personal life

Telgi married Shahida Telgi on 19 April 1987 and they had a daughter, Sana Talikoti. His father was Ladsaab Telgi and his mother Shariefabee Ladsaab Telgi. He had two brothers: an elder brother, Abdul Rahim (deceased), and a younger brother, Abdul Azeem.

Health, death and aftermath

Telgi suffered from long-term health problems including meningitis, diabetes and hypertension, and he was diagnosed as HIV positive while in custody. He died on 23 October 2017 at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru; the cause of death was cardiac arrest due to multiple organ failure. In the years after his death there were legal and administrative developments concerning properties and accusations tied to the broader scandal. His wife Shahida was convicted in connection with the scam in 2003 and later released; in legal filings she urged the seizure and use of remaining properties for public benefit.

Latest updates

Posthumous media portrayals and legal actions have continued to keep the case in public view. A dramatized retelling of Telgi’s story was released as a television series in 2023. Authorities and courts have continued to examine the complex web of transactions and assets that emerged from investigations into the scheme.
◈

Recent Work

Scam 2003: The Telgi Story

A television series released on SonyLIV dramatizing events from his life and the stamp paper scam.

2023
✦

Career Highlights

  1. Built a large-scale counterfeit stamp paper operation spanning multiple Indian states
  2. Recruited an extensive agent network to distribute forged stamp papers to institutional buyers
  3. Convicted in multiple cases and sentenced to long prison terms
  4. Central figure in a major national investigation that involved a Special Investigation Team and subsequent CBI charge sheet
?

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Abdul Karim Telgi born?

29 July 1961

What is Abdul Karim Telgi known for?

Counterfeiter

What is Abdul Karim Telgi’s marital status?

Married

Who is Abdul Karim Telgi married to?

Shahida Telgi