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Karti Chidambaram arrest updates: Special judge Sunil Rana has remanded Karti Chidambaram to a 5-day judicial custody. He will next be produced in court on 6 March. Karti’s lawyer can meet him for one hour in morning, and one hour in evening every day. He is allowed to have his medicines on prescription but outside food is not allowed, CNN-News18 reported. In a dramatic development in the INX Media case, former finance minister P Chidambaram’s son Karti Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI from Chennai airport on his return from abroad, with the Congress crying “political vendetta” and the government rejecting the charge. Later in the evening, he was remanded to one-day custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation by a Delhi court. The CBI on Wednesday justified Karti Chidambaram’s arrest in the INX Media case in a Delhi court by taking the ground of his non-cooperation and frequent foreign visits, which was vehemently opposed by the defence counsel, who said his client was not summoned by the central probe agency in the last six months. [caption id=“attachment_4370419” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
File image of Karti Chidambaram. News18[/caption] Seeking a 15-day custody of the son of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, the CBI prosecutors contended before duty magistrate Sumeet Anand that Karti had not cooperated in the investigation and he had been repeatedly travelling abroad, which “confirmed the apprehensions of his tampering with the evidence lying abroad against him and others in the form of secret note received from the Ministry of Finance”. CBI prosecutors VK Sharma and Padmini Singh argued that one of the grounds for arresting Karti was that the agency had recorded the statement of Indrani Mukerjea, former director of INX Media (P) Limited, before a magistrate on 17 February, in which she had said an amount of $1 million was paid to Karti on behalf of INX Media at the Hyatt hotel in New Delhi. Opposing the CBI’s arguments, senior advocate AM Singhvi, appearing for Karti, said it was a “bizarre” case and that no grounds for arrest were made out. “It is a bizarre case at the threshhold. It is not a case of arrest, leave aside police custody or judicial custody,” Singhvi told the court while opposing the CBI’s remand plea. He also argued that Karti was summoned twice by the CBI on 23 and 28 August last year and that he was interrogated for 22 hours by the agency, during which he answered all the questions. “After those two days, I have not received any single summons from the CBI. It is a 180-day silence and then they say, I (Karti) am not cooperating. The fact is that they do not have anything to ask me now,” Singhvi said. Claiming that no reason was given for the arrest, he said, “It is because you (CBI) want to show it to your bosses that you are doing some work.” “Unlike others, I (Karti) am not a ‘Hindustan leaver’ and instead, I am a ‘Hindustan returner’,” Singhvi said, adding that Karti was cooperating with the CBI and that the court might impose any condition while releasing him from the agency’s custody. “Am I (Karti) a fugitive from justice,” Singhvi, who was assisted by senior advocates Dayan Krishnan and Mohit Mathur, told the court. The defence counsel argued that the CBI had tried to stop Karti’s foreign visits, but he went abroad twice on court orders and another of his visits outside the country was prior to the issuance of the Look-Out Circular. “Is it fair to say to the court that I (Karti) am not cooperating? It is only to prejudice the court. It is a clear misrepresentation and distortion of facts by the CBI. They did not apprehend anything while I was going out, but arrested me on my return,” he said. Singhvi further said Karti had gone to the UK after taking the Madras High Court’s permission and that he was ready to abide by any condition, including surrendering his passport, daily visits to the CBI office and confinement to a city. “I am not filing any formal bail application, but opposing the remand application. They should have issued a fresh summons and test my non-cooperation, but they arrested me when I landed at the Chennai airport today (Wednesday) at 9 am. There is no allegation of violation of any conditions imposed by the high court,” the counsel argued, adding that the arrest was mala fide. Singhvi further said it was not even an open-and-shut case, but someone struggling to open a 10-year-old case. He told the court that Karti appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a case filed on similar allegations by the agency as late as 10 days ago and that he was not a repeat offender and remanding him to police custody would add more insult to the injury. The CBI prosecutors rebutted, saying Singhvi’s arguments were false and that Karti had joined the probe only after the Supreme Court’s intervention. They said all the procedures were followed and Karti was informed about the grounds of his arrest. They further argued that Karti had not complied with the Madras High Court’s direction to give the itinerary of his stay abroad. Regarding the defence counsel’s argument that the CBI had not filed a status report in any court, claiming that Karti had not cooperated, the prosecutor said the agency was never directed by any court to file any such report. With inputs from PTI and IANS
Karti Chidambaram arrest updates: P Chidambaram maintains stoic silence; 'will be vindicated,' shouts son
In a dramatic development in the INX Media case, former finance minister P Chidambaram’s son Karti Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI from Chennai airport on his return from abroad on Wednesday.
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Karti Chidambaram brought to CBI headquarters in Delhi
P Chidambaram and Nalini outside Patiala House Court
I-T said Karti spent Rs 3.3 crore on US property
I-T claims that Karti spent Rs 3.3 crore on US property and bought assets with the INX bribe money. Sources say Karti will be prosecuted under black money laws, CNN-News 18 reported. CBI said original will that gave firm to Karti’s minor daughter was missing.
ASG Tushar Mehta asks people to wait for verdict
Karti not a terrorist with bomb**, says Singhvi**
Singhvi’s last argument was Karti is not a terrorist with a bomb that he cannot be interrogated without keeping him in custody.
CBI gave no reasons but kept repeating ‘we have to interrogate’: Singhvi
Singhvi says it comes to 3 factors of flight risk, direct tampering of evidence and non-cooperation
Abhishek Manu Singhvi argues, “It comes down to three factors: flight risk, direct tampering of evidence and non-cooperation. This non-cooperation is not by way of answers given but by way of not submitting before the court.”
Delhi court reserves order
While the Patiala House Court has reserved the order on Karti’s bail application, we will come to know if he will get bail or not at 4.30 pm.
War of words going on between Mehta and Singhvi
Karti can be interrogated without keeping him under custody, says Singhvi
Speaking in the court, Karti’s lawyer Abhishek Mnau Singhvi argues, “None of the conditions by CBI is such that it could not be meet without Karti in custody. It can be done by interrogating, summoning or calling him from 9 am to 6 pm. How is their investigation hampered by not having him in custody ? Singhvi continues, “Mehta is not forwarding material to the judge but is giving his personal opinion or subjective notes which is not credible or relevant . Such notes cannot be the basis to keep me in custody.”
Singhvi counters CBI’s claim, says on behalf of Karti, “If I am silent, that does not mean I am non-cooperative”
Karti not cooperating with CBI
New revelations have come up in INX Media case which can’t be disclosed and Karti is not cooperating, PTI quoted CBI as telling the court.
Strong arguments going on in court
Tushar Mehta speaks in the court
Key accused Indrani Mukherjea’s statement is just one of the evidences, says Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
Singhvi slams CBI move to keep Karti in custody
NDTV reports Karti Chidambaram’s lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi as saying that " This is a malafide attempt to keep Karti Chidambaram in custody. Tomorrow the CBI may cite more reasons demanding extended custody,"
Karti seated with CBI officials in Patiala House Court
According to NDTV, Karti Chidambaram is seated on the left side of the room along with the CBI officials for the hearing. His parents are present at the other side.
CBI says Karti Chidambaram not cooperating
In the last four days, there has been substantial progress. It is based on this that CBI seeks nine days remand. CBI says that Karti is not cooperating, adds that he is playing the victim card.
ASG Tushar Mehta makes his remarks
Tushar Mehta says, “Our investigation is not just about the 164 statements of Indrani. We have more evidence.” He asks asks the judge to read a few paragraphs from the documents given earlier in a sealed envelope. “We have recorded the confrontation with Indrani as well which if the judge wants we can put it in front of you,” he continues. Mehta adds that some development happened on Monday which has not been told in open court.
Hearing begins
Hearing has begun now. Tushar Mehta tenders unconditional apology for the delay.
The situation right now
CBI will file a reply seeking two weeks time to respond. Karthi has filed for bail in Patiala House Court. The plea was filed on Monday. Karti has said that he will be co-operating with the investigation agencies. On the bail application, CBI will file an application seeking 2 weeks to respond. Apart from that. CBI has moved application seeking further 9 days custody.
Karti’s lawyer Kapil Sibal says no arrest possible
Senior Congress leader and lawyer Kapil Sibal, who is representing Karti Chidambaram in the case, told the bench on Tuesday that Karti Chidambaram should not be arrested since there is no FIR by the Enforcement Directorate, NDTV reporrted.
Recap: Karti’s parents P Chidambaram and Nalini Chidambaram reached Patiala House Court
Indrani Mukerjea claims on camera that businessman demand $1 mn from her
Former media executive Indrani Mukerjea has reportedly claimed that Karti Chidambaram demanded $1 million from her, and that she paid him a part of this sum, at a hotel in New Delhi last year. After Firstpost reported on this allegation on 28 February, a confessional video, accessed by Times Now, depicts Indrani making the same allegation, adding that she “doesn’t care” about her credibility being questioned by Karti, or his father, former finance minister P Chidambaram, because she recorded her testimony before a magistrate under section 164 of the CrPC. Mukerjea, according to the on-camera revelation released by Times Now, also claimed that she met P Chidambaram in his North Block office.
CBI cites enormity of the case for seeking extension
Income Tax tightening its noose around Karti Chidambaram
According to the Income Tax department, Karti Chidambaram used the money that he received as bribe from Indrani Mukherjee to buy property in the United States.
Confusion over the days sought for custody
While the CBI has sought an extension of custody of Karti Chidambaram, there is confusion over the number of days. While Bar & Bench is reporting that the apex investigation agency has demanded an extension of six days, Live Law is reporting seven days. CNN-News18, on the other hand, is stating that the CBI is seeking 9-day custody of Karti.
Karti likely to move Delhi High Court if denied bail
CBI to seek eight days more of custodial interrogation of Karti Chidambaram in INX Media case. But Karti looks to seek bail, and is likely to move Delhi High Court if denied this relief. CBI wants the hearing in post-lunch session.
CBI cites joint interrogation of Karti and Indrani
News18 reports that CBI cited the joint interrogation of Karti and Indrani Mukerjea of INX Media to extend the custody of the businessman. Appearing for Karti, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who also happens to be a senior Congress leader, stressed on personal liberty.
Supreme Court next hearing on Karti’s plea seeking protection from arrest on 8 March
Supreme Court also sought response from the Enforcement Directorate on Karti Chidambaram’s fresh plea seeking protection from arrest. The top court lists matter for hearing on 8 March.
ED’s action ‘serious infringment of fundamental rights’, says Karti
In the petition, Karti said the ED’s action is “the serious infringement of the Petitioner’s fundamental right to live with dignity guaranteed under Article 21 read with Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution of India.”
Supreme Court refuses interim relief for Karti
Supreme Court issued notice to Enforcement Directorate for quashing of all criminal proceedings initiated against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with FIPB approval for Aircel-Maxis and INX Media in 2006 and 2007.
The Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra has refused to grant interim protection to Karti from arrest by ED Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal,who appeared for Karti said Karti will be arrested by ED once the CBI custody is over (Toda). He submitted that it is the same transactions for which, his client is in CBI custody presently and ED can’t investigate him without any FIR.
CBI demands 8-day custody of Karti
CBI not caged parrot but “singing parrot” of govt: Kapil Sibal
The arrest of Karti Chidambaram by the CBI in the INX media case shows that the Indian investigating agencies are no longer caged parrots but “a singing parrot” of the government, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal said.
The senior advocate, who has been representing Karti in the legal battle before the Supreme Court, said this was a case of “pure vendetta” as the CBI was helpless and had to take refuge of a statement by Indrani Mukerjea, an accused charged with murdering her own daughter.
Watch: Karti Chidambaram being taken out of court
P Chidambaram maintains stoic silence all through today; ‘I’ll be vindicated,’ shouts Karti Chidambaram
Karti Chidambaram, who was directly taken into CBI custody until 6 March as soon as the court pronounced its order, shouted across to the media that he will be vindicated, NDTV reported. Meanwhile, his father P Chidambaram maintained a stoic silence, as media personals hurled questions at him, both on his way in and out to the court.
Karti allowed to wear gold chains in custody but no to home food; can see lawyers twice a day
The CBI officials wanted Karti Chidambaram to remove the gold chains he is wearing, when in custody, but he expressed his reluctance to do so. His lawyer told the court that he wears them for religious reasons. At this point the judge had to interfere and ask both parties to not spar on trivial things and proceed with the investigation, NDTV reported. Moreover, Karti’s request to be allowed to have home food was turned down.