The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stayed the trial court proceedings in the CBI’s INX Media corruption case involving Congress leader P. Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram.
Justice Suresh Kumar Kait sought response from Mr. Chidambaram and other accused in the case on the investigating agency’s plea challenging a March 5 order of the trial court directing the supply of certain documents to the accused.
The CBI has challenged the special judge’s order to the extent that it directed the agency to allow inspection of the documents kept in ‘Malkhana’ by the accused and their counsel.
The agency said the order reflected an intrusion into its investigative process. If accused persons were allowed to inspect documents available at the ‘Malkhana’, the same would subvert the probe and there was every likelihood that they may tamper with the evidence available, it stated.
FIPB clearance
The case relates to a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the CBI on May 15, 2017, against alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance provided to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of ₹305 crore in 2007 when Mr. Chidambaram was the Union Finance Minister.
The Enforcement Directorate is also investigating the alleged offence of money laundering arising out of the FIR.
