Karti Chidambaram arrest LIVE updates: The son of former finance minsiter P Chidambaram was arrested on Wednesday in connection with a money laundering case against INX Media. (Express Photo/Prem Nath Pandey/File)
Karti Chidambaram was arrested on Wednesday morning by the CBI in connection with a money laundering case against INX Media. The son of former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, Karti was interrogated by authorities at Chennai Airport after landing from London. The development comes a day after Karti’s chartered accountant S Bhaskararaman was sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
Karti, who was brought to Delhi today, is named in a case which relates to Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval granted in 2007 for receipt of funds by INX Media when his father and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram was the Union finance minister. P Chidambaram and Karti have denied allegations in the CBI’s FIR against the latter.
Delhi's Patiala House Court sends Karti Chidambaram to one day police custody. He will be produced on Thursday in the concerned court.
Delhi court grants one day police custody of Karti Chidambaram. He will be produced on Thursday in the concerned court.
Former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said Karti's arrest was a ploy to intimidate the opposition. "The arrest of the son of the senior Congress leader, who has been very vocal against the Narendra Modi government, is a ploy to intimidate and browbeat the opposition and also an attempt to divert the public attention from the huge banking scam," senior Congress leader Chavan said. "Karti was arrested for violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). To the best of my knowledge, FEMA is a civilian offence, not a criminal one," he said.
CBI seeks custody of Karti Chidambaram on basis of earlier statement by Indrani Mukherjea. Mukherjea gave statement to CBI that Karti asked for $1 million dollars for FIPB clearance.
BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav said the CBI followed due process in arresting Karti Chidambaram. "Law taking its own course, had it been vindictive it would have happened in 1st year of our government. It took 4 years because due legal process was followed. The agencies followed the process diligently and came to a conclusion," he said.
Commenting on the Karti Chidambaram case, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Law must take its course. CBI will explain all details we don't wish to interfere. I'll only make one observation, when such issues are raised, what is important is the nature of evidence available against the offender must speak for itself."
During court hearing, Karti's counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Karti Chidambaram has no connection with the Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Limited which allegedly received kickbacks and always co-operated with ED and CBI in the case."
Surjewala says P Chidamabaram and his family has no connection with Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Limited. "Out of the blue arrest is made today, 11 years after the so-called incident and after due appearance before CBI and submission of all documents. FIR till today does not mention or name Karti Chidambaram as an accused. P Chidambaram has maintained that neither he nor any of his family member or relations have ever had or have its stake, shareholding or directorship of Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd or INX Media Pvt Ltd at any point of time," says Surjewala.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "PM and his ministers are using political witch-hunt and malicious intent to deflect heat from the PNB bank scam and losses to public exchequer. Political persecution of P Chidambaram and his son by puppet CBI to serve agenda of their political master is nothing but cog in this wheel."
Karti's counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi tells court that it was the most bizarre case against the businessman by CBI. "The arrest is motivated. He hasn't been given a single summon in last 6 months. Allegations made by CBI that he is not cooperatingis wrong as no summons has been issued after August 2017," Singhvi says. "I am not a 'Hindustan Leaver' like others. CBI arrested me on the grounds of my return," Singhvi tells court on behalf of Karti.
In first reactions since his arrest on Wednesday morning, Karti Chidambaram told NDTV, "This is vendetta, I will be vindicated."
Karti Chidambaram produced before Delhi court. Metropolitan Magistrate Sumeet Anand allows his lawyers to interact with him. During hearing, CBI said KartiChidambaram was evasive in his replies and investigation. "He made incorrect statements with respect to evidence. All this delays the conclusion of investigation," the central probe agency said. CBI demands 15 days custody of Karti.
Karti Chidambaram brought to CBI court in Delhi.
Karti Chidambaram's chartered accountant S Bhaskararaman files bail plea in INX Media case. Enforcement Directorate had arrested Bhaskararaman from a hotel in Delhi on February 16.
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal termed the arrest of Karti Chidambaram "malafide" and said it was done to harass P Chidambaram. "This is complete vendetta politics, this is completely malafide. They are always misusing the law," he said.
Commenting on Karti Chidambaram's arrest, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said, "CBI gave him a lot of chances but he continued with his lies even after all evidence was presented against him. He will certainly go to jail and charge-sheet will be filed by CBI. This is a great achievement."
Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi will appear for Karti Chidambaram in Delhi's Patiala House Court later in the afternoon in the INX Media case
Karti Chidambaram arrives in Delhi. Karti is being taken to Delhi's Patiala House Court after he was taken into custody by CBI earlier today in connection with the INX media case.
In case you're just tuning in, Karti Chidambaram, the son of senior Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram was arrested this morning by the CBI in Chennai. He was arrested at the Chennai airport in connection with the INX Media case. He will be produced before a court in Delhi shortly.
Here's everything you need to know about today's developments.
Karti will arrive in the national capital and produced before a designated court this afternoon, reports PTI. Karti was taken into custody by the CBI this morning after landing in the country from the UK. He had gone abroad to for his daughter's admission in Cambridge University. He was questioned by the agency before being brought the Delhi.
Congress says Karti's arrest is a "classic diversionary tactic" by the government to hide scams that are being exposed "on a daily basis." Party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweets, "Modi Govt continues it's vendetta against Sh. P. Chidambaram. Won’t deter the Congress from bringing the truth to the people."
AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot reacts to Karti's arrest. Taking to Twitter, he says the arrest was made to divert the attention from the big issues which the NDA government is facing.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan tweets, "Though CBI may have evidence against Karti Chidambaram, yet there's no justification to arrest him during investigation, without a charge sheet, since there is no danger of his fleeing the country. This show, while big fish like NiMo, MehulBhai &Mallya are allowed to loot & scoot."
Officials from the CBI are escorting Karti to Delhi on a flight in connection with the case. They are expected to reach after noon.
Earlier this month, the Madras High Court granted Karti permission to leave the country, despite the CBI objecting to this. The HC placed conditions on his travels, including directing him to inform the CBI on his travel plan and return to India by February 28 (today). He was arrested this morning upon his arrival from the UK.
Karti had reportedly moved the court after he was restrained from leaving the country, in connection with the lookout circulars issued against him in the case.
P Chidambaram and Karti have repeatedly denied allegations levelled against the latter. Last week, P Chidambaram approached the Supreme Court claiming his fundamental rights were being violated by the NDA government. In his plea, he said the Centre was "misusing its agencies" leading to "continued harassment" of his family, including Karti. The CBI and the ED have raided multiple properties of Karti, including his residence and his office.
Karti will be brought to Delhi from Chennai by a 10.40 am flight, according to CBI sources. He is currently being questioned by authorities at the Chennai airport.
Karti was arrested this morning at the Chennai airport after landing in the country from the UK. He was arrested by CBI officials for not willing to cooperate with its investigation in the case. The development comes a week after Karti’s chartered accountant Bhaskararaman was arrested in connection with the case. He was sent to 14-day judicial custody yesterday.
It is alleged that Karti received money from INX Media and in return used his influence to manipulate a tax probe against the company. The company was being probed for violating Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) conditions to receive investment from Mauritius.
The CBI, in its FIR, alleges INX Media’s FDI proposal was “deceitful and fallacious” but was approved by then finance minister P Chidambaram. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate is also probing the case under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
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Karti Chidambaram was arrested this morning at the Chennai airport in connection with a money laundering case against INX Media. The CBI took him in for questioning at the airport and is likely to bring him to Delhi later in the day. Follow our live blog for the latest news and updates.