Chidambaram in bribery and violations soup; pleads bail on grounds of harassment

According to a news report by NDTV news, former union minister P Chidambaram has been summoned for questioning on June 6 by the CBI, which is investigating the INX Media case. Mr Chidambaram moved two courts in Delhi on Wednesday for protection from arrest, in the Aircel Maxis and the INX media cases. One of the courts told the Enforcement Directorate that the former finance minister cannot be arrested until the next hearing on June 5. Justice A.K. Pathak, however, told Mr. Chidambaram to cooperate in the investigation as and when called by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The High Court also sought a reply from the CBI on the senior Congress leader’s anticipatory bail plea and listed the case to July 3.

The postponement of impending doom with regards to the Aircel-Maxis case was put on the backburner for a bit as accused Karti Chidambaram was then sought after by Mr Chidambaram as he went to the Delhi High Court for the INX Media case. Mr Chidambaram has been summoned in connection with foreign investment approval in 2007 to INX Media, founded by Peter and Indrani Mukerjea.

Karti was apprehended at Chennai airport in the case on February 28 and later let off on bail. He is accused of taking money to facilitate Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media in 2007 when his father was the Finance Minister in the UPA government whilst also facing allegations that he had demanded ans accepted $ 1 million and had slyly dodged a probe against INX Media for violation of FIPB clauses in 2007. The CBI smelled foul play and registered a case last year.

The CBI had said INX Media former director Indrani Mukerjea — facing prosecution along with husband Peter Mukerjea for the murder of her daughter Sheena Bora — claimed that Mr. Karti demanded and accepted the amount. The deal was struck at Delhi’s Hyatt, the agency had said.

The CBI has alleged that irregularities were committed in giving INX Media the clearance to receive Rs. 305 crore in foreign investment. The CBI initially alleged that Mr Karti had received Rs. 10 lakh as bribe for facilitating the FIPB clearance.

Image Source: Zee News

Information Source: NDTV News