New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation’s case against senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram in the INX Media scam is not mere conjecture.
The probe agency says instead it is strongly pivoted on three key evidences — crucial disclosure by a witness, Indrani Mukherjee’s statement and documentary evidence — of the money stashed in countries across the world linked to the scam and for FIPB approvals to the INX Media group.
According to a CBI source: “We are probing a camouflaged trail in which the money has been deposited under various names in bank accounts spread over nearly a dozen countries. Our case is based on clear and unambiguous testimonies and evidences recorded under Sections 161 and 164 of the CrPC, where witnesses have come on record to state that Chidambaram is pressurising them against deposing in court.”
The CBI had on Friday filed a review petition in the apex court challenging the three-judge HC bench order that granted bail to Chidambaram in INX Media case.The CBI said the investigation has revealed other instances where it appears that Karti P. Chidambaram through ASCPL (Advantage Strategic), a company owned by him, received amounts as consultancy / commission from six other companies, which were granted FIPB approval.
The CBI insists the apex court declined to peruse statements of material witnesses that it submitted in a sealed cover. “We have explained every bit of these crucial statements to the High Court. This is a very complicated case of money laundering where we have collected emails as part of documentary evidence, but failed to see similar engagement from the top court,” added the source.
The agency said the top court should not have granted bail to Chidambaram without reviewing the statements. But not only did it grant him bail, it also stated that the CBI’s charge of him being able enough to influence witnesses was unsubstantiated and only a generalised apprehension.
“Two witnesses were approached by the SLP petitioner and or his men not to dispose against him or his son,” said CBI in the review petition.
The CBI has tracked e-mails exchanged by officials of INX Media and Chess Management Services Limited, a company owned by Chidambaram’s son. (IANS)
