Karti Chidambaram exempted from appearing before CBI

The CBI alleged that Karti received the money from INX Media for using his influence to manipulate a tax probe against it in an FIPB violation case for an investment from Mauritius.

Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P Chidambaram has been exempted from appearing before the CBI till July 28 in the IZX media case. Karti had moved the Madras High Court seeking quashing of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case against him.

Karti's petition was heard by the court today that exempted him from appearing before the CBI. Further hearing on the petition has been adjourned to July 28. Karti was represented by senior Supreme Court lawyer Gopal Subramanium.

On July 19, the CBI sent a second notice to Karti summoning him to the CBI headquarters on July 21 for questioning regarding the INX Media Case.

In his detailed petition, Karti has contended that the agency has booked unknown officials of the finance ministry while the Prevention of Corruption Act can only be invoked against a private individual once the identity of the government officials allegedly corrupted by the private individual are known.

Earlier, the agency had summoned Karti and his associates for questioning on June 27 and 29. Karti and his associates had failed to turn up.

The CBI had registered the case on May 15 against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services, its director Padma Vishwanathan and the Mukerjeas.

The Mukerjeas, charged with the murder of Indrani's daughter, Sheena Bora, are currently in jail. The agency had raided 17 locations, including the Chidambarams' residence in Chennai.

According to the CBI, INX Media stated in its records that an amount of Rs 10 lakh was given to Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Limited, a firm the CBI said was "indirectly" owned by Karti, for management consultancy charges towards an FIPB notification and clarification.

The CBI's FIR also alleged that invoices of approximately Rs 3.5 crore were raised in favour of INX Media in the name of other companies in which Karti had substantial interests "directly or indirectly".

The CBI alleged that Karti received the money from INX Media for using his influence to manipulate a tax probe against it in an FIPB violation case for an investment from Mauritius.

OneIndia News