Tension mounts on Chidambaram as CBI seeks sanction from govt to prosecute him under INX Media Case

New Delhi, January 22: In a new development slated in the INX Media case, the CBI has sought the sanction of the central government to take legal action against former Finance Minister P Chidambaram as it has almost finalised a charge sheet, which involves alleged irregularities.

 

The CBI, had registered the case on May 15, 2017, has now sought sanction of the centre mandated under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Act mandates an investigating agency to get a prior sanction from competent authority for prosecution of an accused public servant.

Chidambaram's son Karti was arrested by the agency in the case, which pertains to alleged irregularities in clearing foreign investment proposals to the tune of Rs 305 crore, for allegedly receiving Rs 10 lakh. He was later released on bail. CBI had registered the FIR against Karti, his company Chess Management Services, Peter Mukerjea and Indrani Mukerjea, INX Media, Advantage Strategic Consulting Services and its Director Padma Vishwanathan.

Both CBI and the Enforcement Directorate are investigating the foreign investment clearance granted to the Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006 and the INX Media in 2007 when Chidambaram was the finance minister in the UPA government. The government has already given sanction to prosecute him in Aircel Maxis case.

Chidambaram had denied allegations of any wrong doing in clearing the foreign investment proposals of these companies. According to the CBI, INX Media stated in its records that Rs 10 lakh was given to Advantage Straetgic Consulting (P) Limited, a firm "indirectly" owned by Karti, for management consultancy charged towards FIPB notification and clarification.