Why Did a Third Judge of the Delhi HC Step Away from Karti Chidambaram’s Plea?
Synopsis
In a noteworthy twist, a third judge of the Delhi High Court has recused himself from a plea filed by Congress MP Karti P. Chidambaram regarding the Chinese visa scam. This incident raises questions about the implications of judicial recusal in high-stakes legal matters.
Key Takeaways
Judicial impartiality is crucial in high-profile cases.
The Chinese visa scam involves serious allegations.
Charges against Karti Chidambaram are significant.
The legal proceedings may face delays due to recusal.
Public interest in political figures' legal challenges remains high.
New Delhi, Jan 23 (NationPress) A judge of the Delhi High Court has stepped back from presiding over a plea submitted by Congress MP Karti P. Chidambaram, who is contesting a trial court verdict that has framed charges against him regarding the Chinese visa scam. This marks the third instance of recusal in this ongoing case.
The criminal revision petition was scheduled to be heard by Justice Girish Kathpalia, who opted not to proceed, citing personal reasons.
This decision follows the earlier recusal of two other judges from the Delhi High Court—Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma and Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani—who also stepped back from hearing the plea of the Congress representative.
During the concise hearing, senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing Chidambaram, argued that the charges against the Congress leader were for offenses that had not even been alleged.
He stated, "This is a case lacking evidence. I have been wrongfully implicated." Justice Kathpalia remarked, "I do not believe I can hear this case."
Consequently, the single-judge bench ordered, "Pending the decision of the judge in charge of the criminal matters, schedule this case for January 28 before a different bench."
Chidambaram is contesting a court order from December 23, 2025, issued by a special CBI court, which charged him with criminal conspiracy and bribery of a public servant in connection with alleged misconduct in the issuance of visas to Chinese nationals back in 2011.
Charges were also leveled against several other defendants, while one accused, Chetan Shrivastava, was discharged.
The CBI has claimed that this case pertains to alleged irregularities from 2011 regarding the misuse of visas for Chinese nationals, breaching the norms set by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The investigative agency alleges that around 250 Chinese workers' visas were improperly reused during the construction of a power plant in Punjab.
The allegations are primarily against Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), associated with the Vedanta group, which was developing a power project in Punjab’s Mansa.
The CBI asserts that TSPL paid an illicit sum of ₹50 lakh to Bell Tools Limited, which was funneled to Bhaskararaman, to secure visa approvals and renewals for Chinese nationals beyond the allowed limits. Moreover, it is alleged that this payment was made to obtain approvals from the Ministry of Home Affairs while P. Chidambaram, Karti’s father, was the Union Home Minister.
Point of View
The repeated recusal of judges in Karti Chidambaram's case highlights potential concerns regarding judicial impartiality and the complexities surrounding high-profile legal matters. The involvement of influential political figures in legal controversies continues to shape public discourse and scrutiny.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chinese visa scam case about?
The Chinese visa scam case involves allegations of irregularities in the issuance of visas to Chinese nationals, with charges of criminal conspiracy and bribery against Karti Chidambaram and others.
Why have multiple judges recused themselves from this case?
Multiple judges have recused themselves from the case citing personal reasons, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest or the sensitivity of the case.
What are the implications of the recusal?
The recusal may prolong the legal proceedings and impact the timeline for resolving the charges against Karti Chidambaram.
What are the charges framed against Karti Chidambaram?
Karti Chidambaram faces charges of criminal conspiracy and bribery related to misconduct in the issuance of visas to Chinese nationals.
What role does the CBI play in this case?
The CBI is the investigative agency handling the case, alleging misconduct and irregularities regarding visa issuance processes.
