INX Media Case: Karti Chidambaram Sent to Judicial Custody Till March 24, Home-Food Demand Rejected
The Court agreed to Karti’s demand for medicines and spectacle but didn't agree to provide him home cook food.
New Delhi, March 12: Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union minister P Chidambaram has been sent to judicial custody till March 24, 2018, in connection with the INX Media Case. After being grilled in police custody during the last few days, the CBI on Monday produced Karti in a Delhi court after his three-day police custody in the INX Media corruption case expired. The CBI on Monday said that there were enough proofs against Karti and said it is absolutely necessary that the accused be remanded to the judicial custody.
After the hearing of arguments from both sides, Karti was sent to custody for 12 days till March 24 and also, his demand for home food was rejected by the court.
As per reports by PTI, Karti was produced in the court of Special Judge Sunil Rana, before whom CBI counsel V K Sharma moved an application for judicial custody of the senior Congress leader's son. However, Karti's counsel moved the court to hear his bail plea today itself which was otherwise listed for March 15. The counsel also sought a separate cell in case Karti was sent to judicial custody.
CBI's statement in the courtroom:
Karti’s father P Chidambaram was also present in the courtroom during the hearing today. The CBI in the court said, “During the entire period of police custody remand, Karti Chidambaram was evasive and non-cooperative. Hence, CBI is conducting investigation of the case without the co-operation of the accused”.
The CBI court added that under the circumstances when there is sufficient material clearly implicating the accused in this serious economic offence, it is absolutely necessary that the accused be remanded to the judicial custody.
The Court agreed to Karti’s demand for medicines and spectacle but rejected his demand to provide him with home cook food. Also, the Court directed the police to ensure that Karti gets adequate security inside the jail.
To recall, Karti has been in CBI custody for questioning since his arrest from Chennai Airport on February 28. The 46-year-old businessman was arrested at Chennai airport on his return from the United Kingdom in connection with the FIR lodged on May 15, 2017. The FIR alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds of about Rs 305 crore in 2007 when his father was Union finance minister.
As per reports, the CBI had initially alleged that Karti received Rs 10 lakh as bribe for the FIPB clearance. It, however, later revised the figure to USD 1 million (about Rs 6.50 crore at the current exchange rate and Rs 4.50 crore in 2007). Reports state that the fresh evidence in the case, which triggered Karti’sarrest, was based on the statement of Indrani Mukerjea, former director of INX Media (P) Ltd, who recorded it under section 164 of CrPC before a magistrate on February 17.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 12, 2018 03:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).