New Delhi, Dec 23 (NationPress) A significant development has unfolded for Congress Member of Parliament Karti Chidambaram as a Delhi court has officially framed charges against him in connection with the Chinese visa scam case. The Rouse Avenue Court has leveled accusations of criminal conspiracy and bribery involving a public servant, which sets the stage for a trial regarding the investigation conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In addition to Chidambaram, his former chartered accountant, S. Bhaskararaman, along with several others have also been charged. Notably, one of the accused, Chetan Shrivastava, has been discharged from the case.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 16, 2026.

The CBI's investigation pertains to alleged violations dating back to 2011, revolving around the misuse of visas for Chinese nationals, breaching regulations set forth by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

It is alleged that approximately 250 Chinese workers were granted visas for unauthorized reuse during the construction of a power facility in Punjab.

The accusations focus on Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), a firm associated with the Vedanta group, which was in the process of establishing a power project in Mansa, Punjab.

The CBI claims that TSPL issued an illegal bribe of Rs 50 lakh to Bell Tools Limited, which was redirected to Bhaskararaman, for the approval and renewal of visas for Chinese nationals beyond the allowed limits.

Moreover, the agency asserts that this illicit payment was made to obtain approvals from the Ministry of Home Affairs while Karti Chidambaram's father, P. Chidambaram, served as the Union Home Minister.

This recent progress in the CBI case coincides with ongoing investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Previously, a Delhi court granted bail to Karti Chidambaram in a separate money laundering case tied to the alleged Chinese visa scam, after reviewing a prosecution complaint from the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED has claimed that the Rs 50 lakh received as illicit payment was later invested in Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Ltd, a company purportedly controlled by Chidambaram, which significantly increased in value to Rs 1.59 crore, thereby constituting proceeds of crime as defined by the PMLA.