The Enforcement Directorate has submitted prosecution sanction against former Finance Minister P Chidambaram before the Rouse Avenue Special Court in the INX Media money laundering case. The move follows the Supreme Court’s ruling making sanction mandatory for prosecuting public servants under PMLA.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a prosecution sanction order against former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram before the Special Court at Rouse Avenue, New Delhi, in the INX Media money laundering case.
The sanction was granted by the competent authority on February 10, 2026, and allows the agency to prosecute him under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The case is being heard before the Special Court dealing with PMLA matters at Rouse Avenue Courts. With the sanction now placed on record, the ED has moved a step forward to ensure that the trial proceeds without legal hurdles.
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The ED had started its investigation under the PMLA in 2017. The probe was based on a CBI FIR registered against INX Media Pvt Ltd, INX News Pvt Ltd, Karti P. Chidambaram and others. The FIR alleged offences such as criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption.
According to the agency, during P Chidambaram’s tenure as Finance Minister, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) granted approval to INX Media to receive foreign investment. The ED claims that in return for this approval, illegal gratification was allegedly demanded and received through companies linked to his son, Karti Chidambaram.
The investigation revealed that the alleged funds were routed through shell companies, including Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd and other associated entities allegedly controlled by Karti Chidambaram. The ED has alleged that the money was layered through complex financial transactions to hide its original source.
These funds were later invested in companies such as Vasan Health Care Pvt Ltd and AGS Health Care Pvt Ltd. The agency further claims that the money was eventually used to acquire assets in India and abroad.
As per the ED’s findings, Karti Chidambaram and his associates allegedly acted on behalf of his father in matters relating to FIPB clearance. The agency stated that proceeds of crime were structured across multiple jurisdictions and routed through shell entities to conceal their origin. The funds were allegedly parked in bank accounts and invested in movable and immovable properties.
The total alleged proceeds of crime in the case have been calculated at around Rs 65.88 crore. Out of this amount, Rs 53.93 crore was provisionally attached in October 2018 and another Rs 11.04 crore was attached in March 2023. Both attachments were later confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority under the PMLA.
The ED had earlier filed its prosecution complaint before the Special Court in June 2020. The court took cognisance of the complaint in March 2021. In the complaint, P Chidambaram, Karti Chidambaram and eight other persons were named as accused. A supplementary complaint was also filed in December 2024.
The requirement for prosecution sanction became important after the Supreme Court’s judgment dated November 6, 2024, in the case of Directorate of Enforcement vs Bibhu Prasad Acharya. In that ruling, the Court held that prior sanction is mandatory for prosecuting public servants under the PMLA. Following this decision, the ED sought and obtained the necessary approval from the competent authority.
With the prosecution sanction now submitted before the Special Court, the ED has stated that the move is meant to ensure full compliance with legal requirements and to facilitate expeditious trial proceedings in the INX Media money laundering case. The matter is expected to proceed further in accordance with law.
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