MUMBAI:The film industry has long been dogged by allegations of the involvement of underworld money in many of its dealings. Now shady money appears to have spread its tentacles into television as well.

The Pune police said yesterday that the kingpin in the multi-million rupee stamp paper racket unearthed recently, Abbul Karim Telgi, has pumped money in some television serials along with big banner Bollywood films, the Press Trust of India has reported.

Pune police commissioner RS Sharma was quoted as saying that investigations have revealed Telgi, who is now cooling his heels in a Karnataka jail, has put money in TV serials like Chainpur ki Dastaan and Ani Gulmohar Phulu Lagla.

Sharma was quoted as saying that Telgi had financed films like Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai, Ankhiyonse Goli Mare, Sali Kamal Ki Biwi Dhamal Ki, Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega and Maa Tujhe Salaam.

The Rs 22 billion forged stamp paper racket recently rocked Maharashtra and has ramifications in many other states as well.