Objecting to let Karti Chidambaram go abroad, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday informed the Supreme Court that Karti and his companies are having 25 properties in many foreign countries. CBI furnished the details of these properties in a sealed cover acquired by former Finance Minister P Chidambaram’s son.
“I have a serious objection. Not a single property has been made abroad. My father, my family are deeply pained on the wild and baseless allegations leveled against me. I have no undisclosed assets anywhere in the world,” Sibal said, on behalf of Karti.
Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, told a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that investigation in the case was at a “crucial stage” and they have placed its details in a sealed cover. This time Congress leader and senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Karti. In an earlier hearing, Karti was represented by Gopal Subramanium.
Sibal opposed Mehta’s submissions, saying “wild and baseless” allegations have been leveled against his client and these purported issues have nothing to do with the look out circular (LOC) issued against him. “Was any FIR filed regarding any of these alleged transactions? I have serious objection on this,” he told the bench, which also comprised Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud.
Countering Sibal’s submissions, Mehta said “what does this sealed cover contain? Possible transactions that have emerged in the investigation so far in foreign countries and 25 foreign properties of Karti. I cannot go beyond this”. Sibal, however, maintained that these were serious allegations and are not connected with the LOC. The list of properties acquired illegally by Karti and his company and other members of Chidambaram family were published in detail by PGurus in an article titled as Chidambara Rahasya.
“I have a serious objection. Not a single property has been made abroad. My father, my family are deeply pained on the wild and baseless allegations leveled against me. I have no undisclosed assets anywhere in the world,” Sibal said, on behalf of Karti.
“They (CBI) should put an end to these wild allegations. They should file a FIR if they want,” he said, adding, “let them show even one undisclosed asset abroad”. To this, Mehta said, “the probe is going on and it is at a crucial stage”.
However, the bench said it would take up the matter for final disposal on September 18, rejecting Sibal’s request to stay the CBI’s Look Out Circular barring Karti going abroad.
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