The Karnataka government on Friday decided to hand investigations in the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The decision was taken with "a view to constructively respond to the Centre's plea for an investigation by a centralised agency", Home Minister M Mallikarjun Kharge said after a Cabinet meeting in Bangalore.

The Stamp Paper Scam: The Full Coverage

"It is in national interest when the Union government is going before the Supreme Court requesting that cases relating to the scam come under an umbrella for investigation," he said.

The decision will be brought to the apex court's notice when the matter comes up for hearing on January 8, he added.

Union Finance Minister Jaswant Singh had said in the Rajya Sabha on December 19 that the government would request the SC for an investigation into the racket by a centralised agency.