What transpired at the CBI’s questioning of P Chidambaram

The high-profile questioning of former union minister, P Chidambaram by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the INX Media case lasted over four hours on Wednesday.

The questioning pertained to the alleged irregularities and clearances for foreign investment given to INX Media. The agency has alleged irregularities in the clearance of foreign investment in INX media, a venture promoted by former media baron Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani, both probed by the CBI in connection with the murder of their daughter Sheena Bora.

The questioning revolved largely around the finance ministry documents and the statements given by both Indrani and Peter. Sources in the CBI tell OneIndia that we had some clarifications to seek and these pertained to the statements given by the duo in which they had claimed meeting Chidambaram when he was finance minister.

They had said in their statements that they met Chidambaram at his north block office in 2006. They further alleged that it was Chidambaram who had suggested to them to meet with his son Karti. They further said that Chidambaram had told them to help Karti's business.

Further Chidambaram also confronted with documents of the finance ministry and his explanation sought. The CBI source said that he answered all the questions posed to them. His answers would now be tallied with that of his son Karti who was earlier arrested and released on bail. If there is a mismatch, then we will call them in for questioning once again the source also added.

After coming out of CBI headquarters here, Chidambaram said he had appeared before the CBI and the FIR did not contain any allegations against him.

"Questions and answers were based on the files of FIPB. Hence there was little to add to the record," the Congress leader said on Twitter.

Chidambaram's alleged role has come under the scanner of investigating agencies in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance of Rs 305 crore given to INX media.

The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15 last year for alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the finance minister during the UPA-I government.

Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram was also arrested in the case for allegedly receiving funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh.

The other accused in the case include then INX media director Indrani Mukerjea and the then INX news director, Peter Mukerjea, both in jail in the murder case of 24-year-old Sheena Bora, who was Indrani's daughter from previous marriage.