In what could spell fresh trouble for Congress leader P. Chidambaram, the Law Ministry has told the Centre that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) can be granted sanction to prosecute him in the INX Media case.
A senior government functionary said the Ministry’s opinion was sought on whether the CBI’s demand to prosecute Mr. Chidambaram was legally sound. It has responded to the Home Ministry that there was “no legal infirmity” in the CBI’s request.
The Ministry, he said, gave its opinion based on evidence provided by the investigative agency.
The CBI has already been granted approval by the Centre to prosecute Mr. Chidambaram in the Aircel Maxis case.
The agency registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 against alleged irregularities in FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds of ₹305 crore in 2007 when he was the Union Finance Minister.
The veteran Congress leader’s son Karti Chidambaram was also arrested in the matter for allegedly receiving funds of ₹10 lakh in the case.