BENGALURU: Former Union Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday refused to react on CBI raids on properties belonging to him and his son. Chidambaram was in the Karnataka High Court the whole day. In the afternoon, he said, “I have come as an advocate to argue a case of a private company. I don’t want to react.”When media persons tried to get his reaction while he was coming out of the court in the evening, he did not utter a word despite repeated requests.
‘Can’t take the matter out of turn’
Chidambaram was in Bengaluru to argue in favour of Metro Cash and Carry India Private Limited, on Kanakapura Road, Konanakunte, which had challenged the proceedings initiated against it and two others by the Labour Department under the provisions of the Payment of Wages Act.
The Labour Department had registered three different cases against Metro Cash and Carry and two of its representatives in October 2016 and it was challenged by Metro before the High Court.
As these cases were listed as serial number 250, 277 and 278, Chidambaram, in the morning session, had mentioned before the vacation bench of Justice K S Mudagal to take up the matter, pleading urgency.
The judge, however, turned down the request and said that the matter will be heard as per the list. But, the case was not heard even by 4.45 pm, as 355 cases were listed for the day.
Again, Chidambaram mentioned the case before the bench to be taken up in the evening. Justice Mudagal, in a lighter vein said, “We have the pleasure of hearing you. But we can’t take up the matter beyond court hours just because you are a senior counsel. This is not an urgent matter.”
Even the government counsel also submitted that the case was old and there was no urgency to take up the case on priority.
The judge, however, heard the matter and asked the Labour Department to file objections, before adjourning the matter to next week for hearing. Chidambaram argued that the trial court had issued non bailable warrant against Metro Cash and Carry India Private Limited and two others even though the summons issued for appearance of the accused by it were not served.
Allegations against Karti, INX Media
Misconduct in grant of FIPB approval to foreign investments received by INX media
CBI claims INX entered into criminal conspiracy with Karti to settle a violation of foreign investment norms in 2007
INX brought Rs 305 crore in foreign investments while FIPB had approved only Rs 4.62 crore
Karti was engaged by the firm “by virtue of his relationship with then Finance Minister P Chidambaram,” alleges CBI
Karti exercised influence over certain FIPB officials, extended undue favours to INX by asking it to apply for fresh FIPB approval, in violation of norms
Subsequently, INX Media was granted FIPB permission for the investment which had already come into the firm
The CBI has also alleged that Karti received Rs 10 lakh from INX Media as “management consultancy charges” through Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Ltd, a firm indirectly controlled by PC.