Whistleblower returns “paltry” cash reward to Government

A resident of Khanapur in Karnataka’s Belgaum district, who blew the whistle on the multi-billion rupee stamp paper scam by helping the police nab its alleged kingpin Abdul Karim Telgi, has rejected the cash reward of Rs 2,000 announced by the Government for his act.

Slighted by the left-handed compliment, the whistleblower Jayant Tinaikar has decided to return the cheque worth Rs 2,000 sent to him by the Government.

Tinaikur, who had tipped off the police, which led to his arrest in Ajmer during November 2001, said he had exposed Telgi and his misdeeds though his life was in danger. “The government’s response is shameful. I am not a beggar”, he told reporters.

Pointing out that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a case against Telgi for cheating the government to the tune of Rs 320 billion, Tinaikar said the Government’s attitude shows how serious it is about the fake stamp paper scam. “My life was in danger. But, I did not hesitate to expose Telgi”, he said.

Tinaikar’s outbursts came after he received a letter from the Director General of Karnataka Police K R Srinivasan recently that the Government had sanctioned him Rs 2,000 as reward for helping the police by providing information leading to the arrest of the scamster Abdul Karim Telgi.