The Madras High Court today dismissed a petition by former Union minister P Chidambaram's wife Nalini Chidambaram, challenging Enforcement Directorate's summons to her to appear as a witness in its money laundering probe in the Saradha chit fund scam case.

Justice S M Subramaniam rejected Nalini's contention that women cannot be called for an investigation out of their place of residence, saying such exemptions are not mandatory and are subject to facts and circumstances of a case.

Also holding that such an exemption was not provided under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the judge directed the ED to issue fresh summons fixing a date for the investigation and proceed with it in accordance with law.

Nalini Chidambaram was allegedly paid a legal fee of 1 crore rupees by the Saradha group for her appearances in court and the Company Law Board over a television channel purchase deal.