The Special Investigation Team probing the multicrore stamp paper scam on Saturday arrested Tabrez Telgi, nephew of Abdul Karim Telgi, the prime accused in the scam.
Tabrez, who was arrested in Pune and absconding since last year, was the brain behind Telgi's entire operations regarding printing, packaging and marketing of fake stamps and stamp papers in Maharashtra and elsewhere, SIT sources said.
The sources said Tabrez was responsible for collecting and disbursing all money generated by the business.
The sources said that Tabrez is the second most important accused after Telgi in the racket and his interrogation would be crucial in unearthing Telgi's links with politicians and bureaucrats.
Tabrez would be produced before a court in Pune on Sunday. He is the 65th accused to be arrested in the scam.
Abdul Karim Telgi had appointed Tabrez to handle his business operations and had given him a free hand to operate.
Tabrez's arrest comes close on the heels of the arrest of his manager, Vijay Desai alias Salunkhe.