AMN / New Delhi
Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) on Friday justified continued operation of lookout circular against Karti Chidambram, son of former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, saying he has several overseas accounts in which he has transferred money.
“He says that he has one account but he has several accounts abroad in which he has transferred money” the Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
“There is a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. We are investigating the matter”, ASG Mehta told the court and also referred to the report by the Financial Investigating Unit (FIU).
Telling the court that investigation by FIU were going on for last ten years, senior counsel Kapil Sibal dared the CBI to backup its claim with documentary evidence.
“Show at least one document with his signatures, if you have evidence”, Sibal told the CBI.
Sibal who appeared for the Karti Chidambram told the court that all this was being told about his client to create a prejudice against him. |
“I was asked (by the top court) to go (to CBI) for questioning. Not a single question was asked to me. If they have documents, they can prosecute me for FERA violation or black money”, Sibal told the court saying that what was being told by the CBI was extraneous to the case for which lookout circular (LOC) was issued.
Senior counsel said that not one question was asked to Karti Chidambran during his questioning by the CBI about all that was now being told to the court.
He told the court that the case under which LOC has been issued relates to the payment of Rs. 10 lakhs to a company – Advantage Strategic Consultant – allegedly for facilitating FIPB clearance for the INX Media Limited.
Denying any linkage of Karti Chidambram with Advantage Strategic Consultant, Sibal said that all that is being told to the court is unrelated to the case under investigation relating to FIPB clearance to INX Media Ltd.
He said that if CBI has other material then it should take cognizance of it and file separate FIRs in respect of them.
Sibal said that there are Centre’s guidelines on the issuance of the lookout circular (LOC) and the LOC in the case of Chidambram was not in conformity with those guidelines.
He told the court that even before the CBI could have asked Chidambram to appear before it for questioning, it issued a LOC.
“Without any fault on my part, you can’t issue a LOC. When you have not issued notice to appear”, Sibal told the bench.
Since the arguments remained inconclusive, the court directed the further hearing on October 4 – which effectively means that Karti Chidambran can’t leave the country till then.
The top court is hearing a plea by the CBI challenging the Madras High Court order staying its lookout circular against Karti Chidambaram to ensure he does not leave the country.
The top court by its August 14 order had restored the lookout circular by putting on hold the High Court order.