The INX Media case explained in 6 points

In a major development, the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Karti Chidambaram, son of the former union minister, P Chidambaram in connection with the INX Media case.

The CBI has been conducting a series of raids in connection with the alleged criminal misconduct in the grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board approval to foreign investments received by INX Media Pvt Ltd formerly owned by Peter and Indrani Mukerjea.

The INX Media case explained:

• INX entered into a criminal conspiracy with Karti Chidambaram to amicably settle a case of violation of foreign investment norms by the company in 2007.
• The media firm had brought in Rs 305 crore through foreign investment even as the FIPB had approved foreign inflow of only Rs 4.62 crore.
• Karti was engaged by the firm "by virtue of his relationship with the then Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, the CBI alleged.
• Karti Chidambaram exercised influence over certain FIPB officials and the department instead of investigating the case, extended undue favours to the media firm by asking it to apply for fresh FIPB approval on the downstream investment of Rs 305 crore in violation of norms. INX Media was granted FIPB permission for the investment which had already come into the firm.
• Karti Chidambaram received Rs 10 lakh from INX Media for "management consultancy charges" through Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Ltd, a firm which was indirectly controlled by Chidambaram. CBI says that this was done to conceal the identity of Chidambaram.
• CBI alleges that invoices of at least Rs 3.5 crore were raised in favour of INX Group in the name of companies where Chidambaram has direct and indirect interests.

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