ED Challenges Chidambaram’s Request to Halt INX Media Case Trial
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New Delhi, Nov 28 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has opposed senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram’s plea requesting a stay on the trial concerning the alleged INX Media money laundering case. The agency argued before the Delhi High Court on Thursday that overseeing his son’s business interests was not part of his official duties.
During the hearing before a Bench led by Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri, the ED’s special counsel emphasized that the money laundering allegations were unrelated to P. Chidambaram’s official responsibilities. He maintained that managing his son’s business interests did not constitute an official duty.
Conversely, P. Chidambaram’s attorney contended that the trial court should not have acknowledged the ED's prosecution complaint without prior sanction, as he was in public office at the time the alleged money laundering was committed.
The Justice Ohri-led Bench opted not to issue any formal ruling regarding the application for a stay on trial proceedings. Instead, they scheduled the matter for a hearing on Friday and instructed P. Chidambaram’s lawyer to submit the statements made by witnesses during the investigation by the federal anti-money laundering agency.
In his petition filed with the Delhi High Court, P. Chidambaram challenged the trial court's order acknowledging the alleged offenses under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), citing that the ED had not secured any prior authorization for his prosecution.
The case revolves around allegations that INX Media (P) Ltd received excessive Foreign Direct Investment without the necessary approval from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), an act allegedly facilitated by Karti Chidambaram through his influence over public officials, and receiving significant kickbacks as compensation.
Proceedings under the PMLA were initiated against Chidambaram, Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt. Ltd. (ASCPL), and others by the ED following an ECIR recorded based on an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for offenses under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
During the investigation, the ED discovered that illegal payments (considered proceeds of crime) were received directly and indirectly from INX Media Pvt Ltd, which had received FIPB approval under then Union Minister P. Chidambaram, through several shell companies managed by his son Karti Chidambaram.
According to the ED, illegal payments were made in connection with consultancy services rendered by entities associated with INX Media. The total amount of laundered proceeds over time was Rs 65.88 crore. The funds were transferred to overseas accounts and invested in various international properties and shares of companies through multiple shell companies directly or indirectly overseen by Karti Chidambaram and his associates.
