ED questions P Chidambaram in INX case for second time

New Delhi: Former Union minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Monday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in connection with the agency’s probe pertaining to the INX media money laundering case.

The central probe agency is probing the role of former finance minister in the INX media money laundering case for giving a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to the group in 2007. Chidambaram arrived at investigating agency’s office around 11 am. This is the second time that the senior Congress leader deposed before the agency in the case. He was earlier examined by the ED sleuths in December.

Mr Chidambaram was asked to depose before the investigating officer of the case to record his statement under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Last month, the Delhi High Court extended the interim protection from arrest granted to Chidambaram on his pleas seeking anticipatory bail in the case lodged by both the ED and the CBI till January 15. The high court had also directed Mr Chidambaram to cooperate with the investigation.

The ED had registered a PMLA case based on FIR by the CBI and alleged that irregularities took place in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs. 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the Union Finance Minister. Both the investigating agencies were also probing how Chidambaram’s son Karti managed to get the FIPB clearance. Karti Chidambaram was arrested on February 28, 2018. He was later granted bail. The ED probe so far showed that for the FIPB approval, INX Media directors Peter and Indrani Mukerjea met P Chidambaram, so that there was no delay in their application.

The ED has attached properties worth Rs. 54 crore belonging to Karti Chidambaram and a firm in connection with the case. It has also attached properties belonging to the Mukerjeas in connection with the same case.