CBI asks Chidambaram to appear on June 6 for questioning in INX Media case

Former finance minister P Chidambaram has been asked by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to appear on June 6 for questioning in connection with alleged irregularities in the clearance of foreign investment in INX Media, a venture promoted by former media baron Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani, sources said.

He was called on Thursday for the questioning in the case, but he sought another date to comply with the CBI notice, the sources added. The Delhi high court on Thursday had granted the Congress leader interim protection from arrest till July 3 in the case.

Chidambaram’s alleged role has come under the scanner of investigating agencies in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance of Rs 305 crore given to INX Media.

The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15 last year for alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the finance minister during the UPA-1 government.

Chidambaram’s son Karti was also arrested in the case for allegedly receiving funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh. The other accused in the case include then INX Media director Indrani Mukerjea and then INX news director Peter Mukerjea.