Setback for Karti Chidambaram: Madras HC refuses to quash FIR in INX Media case

The Madras High Court has directed Karti Chidambaram to approach a court in Delhi to quash the FIR lodged against him in the INX Media case. Karti, son of former Union Minister, P Chidambaram had moved the Madras HC against the FIR lodged against him in the case by the CBI. The Madras HC told him either to approach the Delhi HC or the Patiala House court in this regard.

Karti moved the court a week after he was told to appear before the CBI for questioning in the same case. Karti is to appear before the CBI on August 23 for questioning in the case.

Karti had told the Supreme Court that he is ready to appear before the agency today itself, but needs protection. While directing him to appear before the CBI, the SC told Karti to carry with him all documents necessary.

Last week the Supreme Court took to task Karti Chidambaram and asked why he had not taken part in the probe against him. The court also stayed the Madras High Court order which had kept on hold the Look Out Circular issued against him.

The Madras High Court had permitted Karti to travel abroad and he was scheduled to fly out on August 16.

The court however said that it was not ready to take the risk of recording his undertaking and later find that he has gone abroad. We cannot risk it,the court said. The court also told Karti that he has to appear consistently before the CBI for questioning. The CBI only asked you to appear for questioning. Why is it that you have not appeared even once, the SC also sought to know. The SC also added that the CBI had the option of seizing Karti's passport and arresting him, but it did neither. You must take part in the probe. How will it be, if people of this country do not take part in investigations, the SC asked.

We have had very bad experiences in the past of allowing people to go abroad, the court said. They go abroad and never come back, the Chief Justice of India, J S Khehar heading the Bench observed. We are not on the issue of whether he is guilty or not. We are on a small issue and that is whether he has taken part in the probe or not. Has he taken part in the investigations? The answer is no, the CJI also said.

The CBI in its plea said that a stay on the circular would hamper investigations. We fear that he may leave the country pending investigation, the CBI also said in its plea. It may be recalled that the LOC had been stayed by the Madras High Court last week.

OneIndia News