INX money-laundering: CBI seeks 14-day custody to grill Karti Chidambaram
What's the story
The CBI has sought 14-day custody of Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P Chidambaram, in the INX money laundering case. The agency needs time to "confront" him "with other accused, co-accused, suspects" and evidence, it submitted. 46-year-old Karti, who allegedly used his influence to let INX gain FIPB approval for foreign investments, was arrested yesterday for not cooperating, CBI said.
Case
What is the INX money laundering case?
According to the FIR, INX was approved by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for investment of Rs. 4.62cr, but actually received Rs. 305cr by sale of shares. When I-T launched a probe, INX allegedly took the help of Karti's company named Chess Management Services "to get the issues resolved" by influencing FIPB officials. For this, he purportedly received Rs. 90cr as "consultancy charges."
Probe
Karti has denied any wrongdoing in the FIPB approval
In May'17, ED registered a case against Karti for criminal conspiracy, cheating, seeking to influence a public servant, and criminal misconduct. He has "categorically denied" any wrongdoings in the approval, but has been actively detaching himself from suspicious properties and accounts, reports said. Karti was first grilled by the ED in January. Last week, he moved the SC seeking a stay on ED's summons.
Congress
'BJP desperately trying to divert attention from own flaws'
Slamming Karti's arrest, Congress said BJP was "desperately trying" to divert people's attention from the corruption scandals tumbling out of its closet, a reference to Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya. Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala questioned why there was a 10-year time-lag between the FIPB approval and FIR lodged. Moreover, none of the others involved in the approval, including then-FIPB Chairman Subbarao, had been questioned, he said.
Status
Delhi court reserves order on Karti's bail petition
Seeking bail for Karti, his lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi termed CBI's allegations "bizarre":" "The only way to establish non-cooperation is to send summons," but Karti hasn't been summoned since August'17. CBI cited his frequent foreign travels as another reason for arrest, to which Karti asserted, "I'm not a Hindustan-leaver like others." Karti's parents were seen with him in court, which has reserved its order.