Today(on 6th June),Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has granted regular bail to Congress leader Karti P Chidambaram in a high-profile money laundering case. This follows an earlier April decision by Justice Kaveri Baweja, who granted interim bail to three other accused with personal bonds of Rs. 1 lakh each.
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DELHI: Today(on 6th June), Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, granted “regular bail” to Congress leader Karti P Chidambaram in a high-profile money laundering case. This decision follows an earlier order from April, where Justice Kaveri Baweja, Special Judge for Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) cases, granted interim bail to three other accused individuals. The interim bail was set at personal bonds of Rs.1 lakh each.
The individuals granted interim bail alongside Karti Chidambaram included his former chartered accountant S Bhaskararaman, Vikas Makharia, and Mansoor Siddiqi.
Background
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a money laundering case against Karti Chidambaram and several others in connection with an alleged scam related to the issuance of visas to 263 Chinese nationals in 2011. At that time, Karti Chidambaram’s father, P Chidambaram, a senior Congress leader, was serving as the Union Home Minister.
According to the ED, the full extent of the laundered money is yet to be determined. The agency noted that the alleged payment of a Rs.50 lakh bribe, as mentioned in the CBI’s case, cannot be solely relied upon as the basis for the present money laundering case.
The ED’s case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was registered following an FIR lodged by the CBI, which initially brought the case to light.
In the course of the proceedings, the court meticulously examined the details presented by both the ED and the CBI. Justice Baweja’s earlier decision to grant interim bail was seen as a significant move, providing temporary relief to the accused while ensuring their presence for subsequent hearings.
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The allegations revolve around the misuse of power and the facilitation of illegal activities during the tenure of P Chidambaram as the Union Home Minister. The issuance of visas to Chinese nationals under questionable circumstances has raised concerns about potential violations of legal protocols and the involvement of high-level officials in unlawful financial transactions.
Throughout the investigation, several key statements have been recorded. The ED maintained that “the total amount of laundered money has yet to be determined” and emphasized that the Rs. 50 lakh bribe “cannot be considered the foundation of the current case.” This statement underscores the complexity and ongoing nature of the investigation, indicating that further scrutiny and evidence gathering are necessary to uncover the full scope of the alleged financial misconduct.
The regular bail granted to Karti Chidambaram marks a critical juncture in the case, as it allows him to be out of custody while the investigation continues. However, the legal battle is far from over. Both the ED and the CBI are expected to intensify their efforts to gather substantial evidence and build a robust case against the accused.
Recently concluded General Elections, P. Chidambaram has emerged victorious in the Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu, defeating AIADMK’s Xavierdass by an impressive margin of 2,05,664 votes. Chidambaram secured the seat with a total of 4,27,677 votes on June 4, 2024.
After the results were declared, Chidambaram expressed his gratitude towards the people of Tamil Nadu and highlighted the rejection of BJP’s political stance.
ALSO READ: Delhi Court Summons Karti Chidambaram in Chinese Visa Case Following ED Charge Sheet
He stated-
“The people of Tamil Nadu have rejected the BJP’s Hindutva politics and have chosen a federal, secular, and inclusive government. This victory is evident in the election results.”
Chidambaram further elaborated on the significance of the election outcome, stating-
“Tamil Nadu has delivered a clear and decisive victory to the INDIA alliance, led in Tamil Nadu by Chief Minister MK Stalin. The state has rejected the BJP’s Hindutva politics, as the results clearly show. Tamil Nadu desires a federal, secular, and inclusive government, and that is precisely what the people have voted for.”
The INDIA alliance, comprising the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party and the Congress, has made significant gains in Tamil Nadu. The DMK secured 22 seats, while the Congress won 9 seats, reinforcing the coalition’s stronghold in the state. This electoral success underscores the alliance’s appeal to the electorate, who have demonstrated a clear preference for their vision of governance.
