Enforcement Directorate questions P Chidambaram in connection with INX media case

Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram is being questioned today by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the INX Media case.

The questioning of P Chidambaram is being held in the national capital in Enforcement Directorate’s headquarter. Earlier, P Chidambaram was summoned by ED in connection with the INX Media case. It is to be noted that last month, the Delhi High Court had given Chidambaram protection from arrest till January 15.

Earlier, the ED had questioned Chidambaram’s son Karti in this case and also attached his assets worth an estimated Rs 54 crore, located in India and abroad. Karti was also asked to depose before the investigating officer of the case to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Notably, it was during his tenure as finance minister in the UPA-I government that clearances from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) were given to the two ventures.

P Chidambaram, during his tenure as finance minister in the UPA-I government had allegedly given to Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to the two ventures.

Alleging irregularities in clearances given to INX Media, the central probe agency had registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), the equivalent of a police First Information Report, against the accused named in a CBI complaint, including Karti Chidambaram, INX Media and its former owners Peter and Indrani Mukerjea.

The ED and CBI are probing how Chidambaram’s son Karti managed to get clearance from FIPB. Karti Chidambaram was arrested in February by the CBI for allegedly taking money to facilitate the FIPB clearance to INX Media. However, he was released on bail later.

Also Read: INX media case: P Chidambaram gets interim relief till September 28