CBI arrests Karti Chidambaram aide in 2011 visa bribery case

NEW DELHI: CBI on Wednesday arrested chartered accountant S Bhaskararaman, a close associate of Congress MP Karti Chidambaram and an accused in a case of alleged bribery in grant of visas to 250 Chinese nationals in 2011 for a power project in Punjab.
The agency is likely to examine the role of former home minister P Chidamabaram and the then home secretary in the case where it suspects alleged violation of government rules. In its FIR, it has said it has reason to believe that P Chidambaram and the then home secretary were in the knowledge of the matter involving Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd (TSPL) but stated that it has not ascertained if they were aware of the alleged payment of illegal gratification.
CBI has alleged that a bribe of Rs 50 lakh was paid by the power company to Bell Tools through cheque and the amount was paid in cash to Bhaskararaman.
While Karti is expected to be summoned for questioning by CBI, Bhaskararaman was arrested as he was allegedly not cooperating with the probe agency and was being evasive, officials said.