NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI/NEW DELHI, MAY 17
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting raids at nine locations belonging to Congress leader Karti Chidambaram and his father, former Union Minister P. Chidambaram in connection with a fresh case of visas issued to Chinese nationals for illegal gratification.
According to sources, the probe agency is conducting raids in Odisha, Karnataka, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.
“The new case in which raids are being conducted is related to foreign remittance and companies and it was registered a few days back. The dealing took place in 2010-2014. During this period funds were received and sent abroad by or at the instruction of Chidambaram,” said a source.
It has been alleged that senior Chidambaram allegedly helped Chinese nationals get visas by flouting rules. A project was going on in Punjab for which Chidambaram helped them in getting visas.
The raids started at 8 am and are continuing. The CBI is also recording the statements of the persons who are at the house of Chidambaram.
Recently, a special court took cognisance of the ED charge-sheet in the INX Media case. In August 2019, the CBI had arrested P. Chidambaram in the INX Media case and the ED took him into custody in connection with the money laundering case in October that year. He got bail after spending 100 days in incarceration. The CBI is yet to establish any connection between the two cases.
Meanwhile, the father-son duo have claimed innocence and alleged political vendetta. “I have lost count. how many times has it been. Must be a record,” said Karti in a tweet on Tuesday.
Further details awaited.
