Tue Jan 28 15:00:57 UTC 2025: **Congress MP Karti Chidambaram Challenges CBI FIR in Delhi High Court**
NEW DELHI, January 28, 2025 – Congress Member of Parliament Karti Chidambaram filed a petition with the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, challenging a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR filed against him. The FIR alleges that Chidambaram facilitated relief for Diageo Scotland, an alcoholic beverage company, after a ban on duty-free sales of its whisky.
Chidambaram’s plea contends the FIR, registered on January 1st, 2025, is a result of political vendetta and is based on allegations dating back to 2004-2010, constituting an unacceptable delay of over 20 years. He argues the FIR’s registration is unlawful due to the lack of prior approval from the competent authority and the absence of prima facie evidence. The petition, filed through lawyer Akshat Gupta, further claims the case is malafide.
The CBI’s investigation stems from a 2018 preliminary inquiry into alleged irregularities in granting Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance during P. Chidambaram’s tenure as Finance Minister. The FIR also names Katra Holdings, Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt. Ltd. (ASCPL) – an entity allegedly controlled by Karti Chidambaram and his aide – and others. It alleges suspicious payments were made to ASCPL by Diageo Scotland and Sequoia Capitals. The ban on Diageo’s duty-free sales, imposed by ITDC in April 2005, reportedly caused significant losses to the company.
A Delhi court has already ordered the CBI to provide Karti Chidambaram with three days’ written notice before any action. This is the fourth case filed against the Congress MP.
First Piper 