SC to look into CBI documents related to Karti Chidambaram’s alleged foreign accounts and properties

New Delhi, October 11: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would peruse on Wednesday the documents provided in a sealed cover by the CBI, which has tried to nail Karti Chidambaram, son of former union minister P. Chidambaram over his foreign bank accounts and properties.

 

The CBI told the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Mishra that the documents contained details of foreign bank accounts and Karti’s properties. The CBI FIR, lodged on 15 May, had alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs305 crore in 2007 when Karti’s father was the union finance minister.

Additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, questioned Karti’s affidavit filed in the court and said “it would be a travesty of justice if this court does not look into the sealed cover and see whether my statements of facts are correct or not”. Senior advocate Kapil Sibbal, representing Karti, opposed CBI’s submissions and rejected the documents to be shown as legal material as they are not related to the case. 

Justice Khanwilkar pointed out that the agency’s contention was that this was part of the case diary. Mehta seconded this, but Sibal stuck to his position saying “no, that is separate offence”. After hearing the submissions, the bench told Mehta, “we will see the documents tomorrow”.

Before this, the apex court had said that Karti would not be allowed to leave India without subjecting himself to investigation in the case. The court had then stayed the high court order putting on hold the LoC against Karti. The FIR was registered on 15 May before a special CBI judge and the registration of the case was followed by searches at the residences and offices of Karti and his friends the very next day.