Supreme Court to study confidential report filed by CBI against Karti Chidambaram

The Supreme Court today decided to peruse a confidential report submitted by the CBI on its probe against Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union Minister P Chidambaram, regarding alleged irregularities in FIPB clearance given to INX Media Ltd.

The top court said it will examine the documents submitted in a sealed cover by the agency in the open court to allay any apprehension of Karti Chidambaram and others. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud asked Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to place the documents before it on November 9. The top court agreed to examine the documents after Mehta, appearing for CBI, said it will be “travesty of justice” if the court does not see the papers and form an opinion.

“Does the investigating agency have to plead to the court to look into the evidence before forming any opinion? My insistence is that please have a look before the court forms any opinion,” Mehta said. The CBI FIR, lodged on May 15, had alleged irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Karti’s …read more