INX Media case: CBI gets custody of Karti Chidambaram for five days

NEW DELHI: Karti Chidambaram, who was on Wednesday arrested for allegedly taking bribes, was today sent to CBI custody for five days.

Special Judge Sunil Rana extended Karti 's custody till March 6 after the CBI contended that there were "very shocking evidences" of his activities while on a recent trip to London.

The court has allowed Karti's advocates to meet him for one hour each in the morning and evening during CBI custody. It also permitted Karti to carry medicines on prescription, but refused to allow home food.

Karti was arrested on the basis of statements from INX Media promoters Peter and Indrani Mukerjea, who alleged that they paid him over Rs 3 crore in bribe.

The Mukerjeas' claim that they were prompted by Karti's father P Chidambaram, who, as the then-finance minister, was in charge of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board. The board is the nodal agency for granting approvals to companies to access foreign funds.

Following the arrest, a Delhi court sent Karti to one-day police custody even as the CBI sought 15 days in the remand application.

Karti's counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi claimed that he had no connection with the firm Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Limited which allegedly received kickbacks.

"The arrest is motivated. He hasn't been given a single summon in the last 6 months," Singhvi added.

The senior lawyer contended that in connection with the May 2017 FIR, the CBI has spent roughly 22 hours with Karti in August last year and no fresh summons were issued to him after August 2017 till today, which shows the agency has nothing more to ask him.

"The only way of establishing non-cooperation is to issue summons. Sudden arrest after six months...There is not an iota of evidence against Karti. He is being arrested despite complying with court orders repeatedly," he said.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, said this is not a case of political vendetta and the investigation is in accordance with Article 21 of the Constitution.

"There are very shocking evidences of what Karti did when he went abroad," he said, adding that "when he went abroad, he closed bank accounts in which funds were received".

Previously, Singhvi aimed a jibe at the instances of businessmen leaving the country with no intention to return after alleged financial wrong-doing, saying Karti was not a "Hindustan leaver" but a "returner."

The CBI, however, countered the charges and told the court that the accused was not cooperating in the investigation.

"Karti is evasive in his replies and investigation. He made incorrect statements with respect to evidence. All this is delaying the conclusion of investigation," the investigative agency said.

The Congress called the arrest a 'diversionary tactic' by the BJP to reduce attention around the recent bank frauds in the country.

The BJP, on the other hand, emphasised that no one is above the law.

"I believe no one should consider oneself above the law of the country. The corrupt are being sent to jail under the law which is taking its own course in the matter," said party leader Sambit Patra. "I see no reason why any political party should cry vendetta. This is law, not vendetta."

It is expected that the Enforcement Directorate will seek Karti's remand once the CBI finishes his custodial interrogation.