Delhi High Court grants bail to Karti Chidambaram in INX Media case

The Delhi High Court yesterday granted bail to Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, in the INX Media corruption case.

The court directed Karti to furnish a surety of 10 lakh rupees and imposed additional conditions including that he will seek prior permission of the CBI if he wants to leave the country. His passport is already deposited with the authorities.

The court also said that while out on bail, Karti will not tamper with any evidence in the case.

\Karti was arrested on 28th of last month from Chennai by the CBI on his return from the United Kingdom. His 12-day judicial custody was to expire tomorrow in the case.

He was arrested in connection with an FIR lodged on May 15 last year, alleging irregularities in a Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance given to INX Media



for receiving funds of about 305 crore rupees from overseas in 2007 when his father was the Union finance minister.

The fresh evidence in the case, which triggered Karti's arrest, was based on a statement of Indrani Mukerjea, former director of INX Media (P) Ltd before a magistrate on February 17. 

Indrani is currently lodged in a Mumbai prison in connection with the case of murder of her daughter Sheena Bora.

In the separate money laundering case arising out of the corruption matter, the High court had on 9th of this month directed the Enforcement Directorate not to arrest or take any coercive action against Karti. 

The protection was later extended by the High Court till March 22. 

Subsequently, the Supreme Court had transferred the ED case to itself.