They are planning to make a film based on his life, his lawyer says he’s writing an autobiography here in jail. But in real life, Abdul Karim Telgi, the man who made crores through fake stamp papers, may just be the last of his kind. For, the Centre and the Maharashtra government are working round the clock to introduce e-stamping in the country, which they claim will spell the end of fakes — and Telgis.

Based on a Singapore model and developed by Inspectorate General of Registration (Stamps), Maharashtra, and Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), e-stamps — to be called “certificates” — may be rolled out on an experimental basis by September.

On the cards is a personalised online registration for stamp papers or a tamper-proof demat system that will mark a complete break from the antiquated stamp paper era for all types of documentations.

“The entire process is ready and only some basic formalities are left. We are the pioneers in this project,” says Ramrao Shingare, IGR, Maharashtra, who took charge recently.

The security system essentially comprises an optical thermal image that will display “original” — or “copy” if the document has been copied. Besides, a bar code at the end of the certificate will contain available details of the stamp buyer. They can be read with a special hand-held unit by officials — once issued, these details will be “locked” to prevent further tampering.

The database will then be made available at the click of a mouse to sub-registrars and the IGR.

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