The Special Investigation Team on December 24 arrested Assistant Police Inspector G W Jadhav of the Mumbai police in connection with the fake stamps scam, police sources said.

Jadhav, who has been placed under suspension following an independent inquiry conducted by Mumbai Police, allegedly adopted a soft line towards prime accused Abdul Karim Telgi when the scamster was arrested by the Colaba police in 1995.

Jadhav's leniency alleged helped Telgi get bail in the case.

The SIT has been probing 16 cases in which Telgi has been booked by Mumbai police since 1995 and has also arrested some police officers in this regard.

In Delhi, Telgi's alleged associate and police Inspector Pooran

Singh was remanded to three more days of police custody. A Delhi court sent him to further police custody till December 27.

The court also adjourned till December 27, a decision on an application seeking Singh to give a sample of his voice for comparing it with recorded conversations, reportedly in the custody of police.

Singh was arrested on December 20 for 'shielding' and 'helping' Telgi and remanded to police custody for four days.

The officer allegedly avoided arresting Telgi while probing two cases relating to the stamp scam in 1999 and 2000 despite knowing his whereabouts, according to police sources.

Singh's role in the case came under scrutiny after Economic Offences Wing sleuths arrested seven associates of Telgi in Delhi and recovered fake stamp paper and stamps worth Rs 220 crore.