Karti Chidambaram was arrested on Wednesday from Chennai airport and brought to Delhi. (File)
Karti Chidambaram, the son of Congress leader P Chidambaram,
arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a corruption case, was today sent to CBI custody till March 6 by a court in Delhi. He was arrested from the Chennai airport. He was then flown to to Delhi and was produced in court the same day which sent him to the CBI's custody for a day. He has been produced before the Delhi court today. The 46-year-old was arrested by the CBI in connection with a money laundering probe against television company INX Media. P Chidambaram, former Union Finance Minister, and his son have denied the allegations, calling it a case of "political vendetta". Congress lawmaker Abhishek Manu Singhvi,
who is representing Karti Chidambaram in court, said he was being targeted because he was the senior Congress leader's son.
Here are the live updates of Karti Chidambaram's case:
Court allows Karti Chidambaram's lawyer to meet him for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening, reports news agency ANI. Medicines are allowed only on prescription but home food is not allowed.
Karti Chidambaram has been sent to CBI custody till March 6.
Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi briefs the media outside court, says how the bribe money allegedly travelled was not answered by CBI. He also said, "Matter has ended on fact that CBI is referring to large volumes of material not shared with us. But we've been able to show there is no case. Now we are leaving the matter to court."
"There was neither flight risk, nor risk of tampering nor non-cooperation then why the arrest?" he said.
Talking to reporters, Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the there was no need for arrest. "There is no evidence of tampering provided by CBI."
CBI lawyer on Karti Chidambaram:- Indrani Mukerjea may face murder charges but her statement has been corroborated by evidence
- Karti said he had only two bank accounts abroad and they were closed later
- We tried finding out more without police custody but failed
- Allow 14 days' custody
With that, the arguments are over. The order will be produced in some time.
CBI lawyer on Karti Chidambaram:- True, law can't operate from back date but after interrogating them, I may file case in which the.
- punishment may have more than 10 years of sentence.
- There can be any offence.
- Argument of "10-year-old charge" and "Rs 1 lakh is small amount to interrogate" is not right.
- Every member of FIPB was summoned and gave their statements and I can't reveal it here now.
- Wills recovered by CBI from the computer of Advantage Strategic company.
- Four invoices are only the starting point of the probe.
- What was recovered was hard disc and the panchnama mentions the hard disc.
- These invoices were not found in loose papers.
- Later, CBI recovered from INX the four novices in physical form.
CBI lawyer on Karti Chidambaram:- CBI acting in fairness despite repeated attacks, vindictive and malafide
- We asked him (Karti) to come but he approaches Madras High Court
- He was summoned twice. Question is not how many hours he spent with CBI but is he cooperating giving answers?
Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi:- My family or my father don't have any overseas properties and if government finds it, we will give it to the government - this is the affidavit filed by Karti in Madras High Court.
- Whole theory of the will is that hundreds and thousands of crores held by A or B or C or D - can anyone trust a stranger with thousands of crores?
- SFIO would have looked into the INX accounts.
- Cases must be decided by law and not outside circumstances.
- Where is the need for arrest and police remand?
- It is the liberty of the individual and he should not be remanded.
Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi asks how can the CBI go by the statement of Indrani Mukerjea, a person in jail for murder.
Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi:- I have never been director or shareholder of the two Advantage companies
- The CBI is trying to satisfy the media
- Geben and North Star are complete strangers to me
- CBI unable to produce any remittance to banks
- The panchnama doesn't make any reference to the invoices
Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi:- My (Karti) conduct is exemplary
- Just because I (Karti) am son of a politician and there is media publicity I should be arrested?
- Everything said by CBI is prejudiced. Whatever CBI said is untruthful.
- Till yesterday, CBI alleged that a princely sum of Rs 10 lakh - a 10-year-old charge - was taken as bribe.
- Six secretaries to government and Duvvuri Subbarao, then Finance Secretary, were part of the FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board). They are not questioned.
Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi:- There is no new fact necessitating arrest
- Can you punish a person with a law which didn't exist at the time of offence?
- The law at that time -2007- prescribes a sentence of only of 7 years
- The Supreme Court has said a person should not be arrested.automatically if the punishment is up to 7 years.
- What's the special factor in the last two weeks that has made the CBI believe it can't do the investigation without arrest?
- The CBI wants to me (Karti) to confront a lady and her husband. For that, custodial interrogation is not needed.
- CBI can do so by calling me (Karti) instead of arresting me.
Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi:- Main ground today is the statement by accused which was whispered today in court.
- Court is deciding whether there is liberty of individual.
- What's the necessity of arrest yesterday with no grounds of arrest?
- CBI manual says there must be ground for arrest and it must be given to the accused
The CBI opposes and says these arguments are for bail.
Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi says CBI leaked reports to media. The CBI denies it. But Mr Singhvi says, "It is on WhatsApp. The CBI is circulating it."
Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi:- It is not a fair prosecution
- Please confront me (Karti) with all persons and questions
- Karti's answer doesn't suit CBI so it says he is being "non-cooperative"
- Material given to court is old material
- It is only innuendo and prejudice
- Barring 15-second "confessional statement", nothing was argued yesterday
Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi:
- Not an iota of truth on tampering evidence.
- Tampering is just a mantra by CBI.
- When anyone travels abroad, if he does something, contempt can be filed. But nothing done.
- I (Karti) have closed accounts because the bank says close the account
- Kumbhakaran (the demon god from Ramayana) also slept for six months (in reference to CBI which kept quiet for six months)
Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi:- CBI on May 2017 FIR spent 22 hours with me (Karti)
- No summons from CBI after August 2017
- Having started proceedings in May 2017, can they arrest in Feb 2018?
- The inference is CBI has nothing to ask me (Karti)
- If there is non-cooperation, then issue summons
- There is no allegation of non-cooperation for six months yet still the sudden arrest
- I (Karti) was out for 22 to 25 days after court order
- He returned in time and the award for it is arrest
- I said yesterday I am not a "Hindustan Leaver" but arrested for obeying court orders
Karti Chidambaram's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi begins arguments - Says this is a bizarre case
- Will give point-by-point rebuttal which will shock the court
- Deliberate attempt made to prejudice the court with half-baked facts
- How can there be need for arrest and remand the accused?
The CBI wants the judge to allow it to interrogate Karti Chidambaram for 14 days, says there are serious offence including under PMLA and custodial interrogation is relevant.
This probe is strictly in accordance with criminal procedure, materials with CBI shocking, says the agency's lawyer
CBI lawyer on Karti Chidambaram:- Advantage Strategic was virtually owned by the accused
- Shares were bequeathed to his daughter
- Four invoices recovered during the raids
- These details will have to be put to him
CBI lawyer on Karti Chidambaram:
- In the evidence two companies were found - Chess Management And Advantage Strategic Management Figures.
- Chess Management is managed by the accused.
- This is confidential (pointing out the documents asking the judge to read it).
- It is only tip of an iceberg.
CBI lawyer on Karti Chidambaram:
- The statement says the lady met accused in a hotel. Accused demanded one million dollars.
- This needs further questioning of the accused
- Every detail submitted to satisfy the court.
- Corroborated evidence includes hotel stay bills.
- These are recovered from the accused
- We didn't have any custodial interrogation so far
CBI lawyer on Karti Chidambaram:
- Several documents recovered
- Karti Chidambaram has to be confronted with other suspects not just in Delhi but in other cities as well. This will require more time
- Three phones seized from Karti Chidambaram are to be examined
- 14 days is the minimum custody needed
CBI lawyer on Karti Chidambaram:
- Karti Chidambaram was taken to Safdarjung hospital. Though he said he had no complaints. But doctor said he was to be shifted to cardiac care. He was kept in Critical Care Unit and discharged today morning at 7 am. He was healthy
- Karti Chidambaram came to CBI office by 8 am and he was given breakfast. Questioning began around 10 am and Karti Chidambaram was not Cooperative
- Doctors should not have done this. But it is for the court (he was examined as per yesterday court order )
- Purpose of police custody denied because of this incident
- Karti Chidambaram in connivance with then finance minister helped some companies
- We are yer to interrogate the accused
- We cannot say much in open court
- Mr Chidambaram completely non cooperative
CBI lawyer on Karti Chidambaram:
I seek 14 days remand
Court to pronounce order on bail application of Karti Chidambaram's Charted Accountant on March 7
At the courtroom:
- Karti Chidambaram sitting in the courtroom surrounded by CBI officials
- CBI Lawyer ASG Tushar Mehta sitting in front of Karti
- Karti Chidambaram's mother Nalini Chidambaram also in the court room. Mr Chidambaram's Lawyer Abhishek Singhvi sitting next to his mother
- Huge media presence in the court room
Enforcement Directorate Lawyer to Court:
- 4 invoices are crucial documents showing Rs 305 crore paid to them
- If Charted Accountant released our probe will be shattered
- When we asked Karti Chitambaram, he said Basker Raman knows everything. But Basker Raman is not cooperating
- Two invoices in the name of Advantage
- Keeping in view of the seriousness and the magnitude Basker Raman, he shouldn't be granted bail
Enforcement Directorate Lawyer to Court:
- Charted Accountant is not cooperating and is shielding everyone
- we have got electronic evidence and it takes time
- Another company of Basker Raman in Singapore. We have to depute someone to Singapore. Everything has been routed through this Singapore company
Enforcement Directorate Lawyer to Court:
- His Charted Accountant controls all illegal assets of Karti Chidambaram
- Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) granted 4.24 crore investment. Rs 305 crore investment brought in by INX. IT questions how this money come in
Basker Raman's lawyer arguing his bail:
- The allegation is ₹10 lakh paid to Advantage strategic company
- Allegation by ED is that I didn't attend the summons. My case is pending in SC
- Allegation by ED I didn't join investigation and I am avoiding the summons
- 16 Feb I was sent for 5 days remand we have cooperated fully
- Entire offence against me based on documentary evidence which is available from 2015
- Nothing will be achieved for keeping me in custody
- I am not an influential person to tamper evidence
- I was in ED custody for 10 days. Case against me that ₹10 lakh received by me in 2007
- Why should I be sent to jail
- Will abide any condition
Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to represent CBI in the INX Media case, is present in the courtroom for the hearing.
Bail application of Karti Chidambaram being taken up in Delhi court
Court proceedings in the INX media case begin.
Karti Chidambaram reaches Delhi court after CBI questioning at Delhi headquarters.
CBI is a credible investigating agency, it is doing its job and I don't want to comment further, says Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Karti Chidambaram's arrest: news agency ANI
Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Karti Chidambaram's arrest
- They should talk on the basis of the evidences, politicizing it is not good
- Corrupt will not be speared and innocent will not be touched
- There is no political vendetta behind this
Father of Karti Chidambaram, former finance minister P Chidambaram put out an emphatic defence in court yesterday, saying that he was the one who ordered a probe into the company that his son is accused of dealing with.
The CBI raided the former minister and his son in May last year after registering a case against him. It alleged Karti Chidambaram helped Indrani and Peter Mukerjea, former media bosses who founded the INX Media group, when it faced questions from the Income Tax Department.
Karti Chidambaram being questioned at the CBI headquarters in Delhi, reports news agency ANI.
Protests held in Chennai against the arrest of Karti Chidambaram yesterday.