The name ‘Telgi’ became synonymous with one of the biggest scams in India’s history when Abdul Karim Telgi orchestrated the massive fake stamp paper racket in the 1990s. However, few are aware of Abdul Karim’s younger brother Azim Telgi who lived under the shadow of his infamous sibling for decades.
While Abdul Karim hogged the limelight as the duplicitous mastermind behind the Rs. 30,000 crore scam, the lower profile Azim had an intriguing story of his own. From benefiting from the scam proceeds to getting arrested and claiming threats from his own brother, Azim Telgi saw dramatic twists and turns in his life journey.
As SonyLIV’s latest ‘Scam 2003’ series turns the spotlight back on the Telgi family, let’s take a closer look at the relatively unknown life of Abdul Karim Telgi’s brother Azim Telgi.
What Role Did Azim Play in Abdul Karim Telgi’s Upbringing?
Abdul Karim Telgi was one of three brothers born to a low-income Railways employee and homemaker in Khanapur, Karnataka. After their father passed away early, Azim Telgi along with eldest brother Abdul Rahim and middle sibling Abdul Karim helped their mother Sharifa Begum sell fruits on trains to survive.
The hardships of their childhood forged a strong bond between the three Telgi brothers even as they set their sights on uplifting their circumstances through education and business.
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How Did Azim Telgi Benefit from the Stamp Paper Scam?
When Abdul Karim Telgi built his illicit empire by counterfeiting stamp papers using print machinery, younger sibling Azim Telgi emerged as an active accomplice in the 1990s.
Telgi valued Azim’s loyalty and local connections, providing him with lucrative opportunities to gain from the scam proceeds. This sudden influx of wealth enabled Azim to gain significant influence in their hometown.
What Political Ambitions Did Azim Nurture?
Capitalizing on his freshly minted riches and Abdul Karim’s guidance, Azim Telgi harbored ambitions to enter politics and contest elections from Khanapur.
His brother envisioned Azim’s political career as a way to gain more protection, influence and public support. In the early 2000s, Azim Telgi ran for and became the President of the Khanapur Municipal Council, fulfilling his aspirations albeit temporarily.
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How Was Azim Telgi Arrested in the Fake Stamp Case?
Azim Telgi’s political rise was cut short when the massive scam finally unraveled through police raids across multiple states in 2000. After Abdul Karim was arrested in 2001, Azim Telgi was also taken into custody in 2003 for active involvement in circulating fake stamp papers using a network of agents.
During interrogations, Azim provided significant information to investigators on the scam operations including usage of laptops, vehicles, warehouses and printing machines. This led the court to extend his police custody in 2003 for further questioning.
What Threats Did Azim Later Claim from His Brother Abdul Karim?
In a strange turn of events in 2010, a local media report quoted Azim Telgi alleging life threats from his own brother Abdul Karim Telgi who was serving his sentence in jail.
Azim claimed his brother was intimidating him along with one Irfan Talikoti from their hometown. He appealed for police protection due to the perceived risk – hinting at inner tensions within the Telgi family amid the scam fallout.
How Did the Scam Impact Azim Telgi’s Subsequent Life?
After being released from prison after his arrest, Azim Telgi maintained a low profile with no reports of his activities emerging again until Abdul Karim’s death in 2017.
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With his political ambitions derailed and reputation tarnished due to the scam, Azim lived under the shadow of his infamous brother. The telescope of his life remained firmly focused on the past events.
What Legacy Does Azim Telgi Leave Behind?
While Abdul Karim Telgi earned widespread notoriety as the anti-hero of one of India’s most brazen corruption scandals, Azim Telgi became a forgotten footnote, defined primarily by his family ties.
Azim’s life reflected how the scam delivered ephemeral wealth and influence before destroying his aspirations and peace of mind when the empire came crumbling down.
Azim Telgi’s Character in Scam 2003
The latest SonyLIV series Scam 2003 depicts a brief glimpse into Azim Telgi’s story through the character of ‘Salim Telgi’.
The show presents Salim as Abdul Karim’s trusted brother who is pushed into municipal politics to build public support and goodwill through infrastructure projects.
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This tracks closely with Azim Telgi’s actual political stint in the early 2000s before the scam unraveled everything.
Where is Azim Telgi Now?
After staying out of headlines following Abdul Karim Telgi’s death in late 2017, the current whereabouts and status of Azim Telgi are unclear.
Given his advanced age, he may be leading a quiet retired life in his hometown Khanapur away from the spotlight.
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With Abdul Karim’s passing and the scam now a faded memory, Azim may find some solace in reconciliation and obscurity.
In summary, Azim Telgi lived under the shadow of his notorious brother and scam mastermind Abdul Karim Telgi. Azim briefly benefited from the scam to enter politics before being arrested and ruined. His life reflected how the scam delivered transient wealth and power before destroying aspirations when exposed. Azim’s character in Scam 2003 provides glimpses into his overlooked role as the scam kingpin’s loyal sibling.
