Telgi's body handed over to family members

The body of Abdul Karim Telgi (58), the kingpin of multi-crore stamp paper scam, was handed over to the family members after the completion of post-mortem at Victoria Hospital in the city on Friday evening.

Telgi died of cardiac arrest at the Victoria Hospital, where he was admitted a week back for multiple organ failures. He was declared dead at 3.55 pm on Thursday.

Even though Telgi died in the hospital, it was still considered as custodial death as he was in judicial custody. In accordance with the prison manual, the post-mortem was conducted in the presence of a magistrate and the procedure was videographed.

According to hospital sources, "Magistrate Prabhu Siddappa Hattikal was informed on Thursday by prison officials. After the court hours, the magistrate arrived at the hospital at 3.45 pm on Friday. The process of recording statements of Telgi's family members took nearly an hour and later ordered the doctors to conduct the post-mortem."

Telgi's wife Shahida, daughter Sana Talikoti, son-in-law Irfan Talikoti, a Youth Congress leader were present at the Victoria Hospital during the post-mortem.

The post-mortem was completed at 5.30 pm but family members informed the doctors that they will take a body to Khanapur in Belagavi district after 9 pm.