The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has informed the Supreme Court that Karti Chidambaram’s recurring travel plans have ‘delayed’ the Aircel Maxis probe. His steadfast commitment towards turning up at a tennis tournament in UK, Spain, Germany and France made him seek the Supreme Court’s permission to leave the country last February and March. The ED had opposed the plea saying that Karti Chidambaram remained ‘evasive and non-cooperative’. Permission had been granted to him to leave the country by the top court, much to the chagrin of the ED.
Alleging that Karti Chidambaram had spent only 51 days in the last six months in the country, the ED told the court that he was ‘blatantly misusing’ the liberty of foreign travel to stay evasive and out of the country. This has resulted in a ‘delay in investigations’.
To this the Supreme Court retorted that Chidambaram had better turn up for questioning, or else he would have to forgo his tennis privileges – ‘no more tennis if he evades’ said the top court. The dates of questioning also have to be submitted by the ED before next Wednesday when the court will hear the case again. The apex court said that it will ‘ensure’ that Karti Chidambaram ‘appears before the ED and also travels abroad’.
Being investigated for several cases by the ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Karti Chidambaram is also under scrutiny for the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media. INX Media is alleged to have received Rs 305 crore as foreign funds during the time P. Chidambaram – his father – was the finance minister of India.
