Delhi HC Relaxes Karti Chidambaram’s Foreign Travel Restrictions in INX Media Case

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday modified a bail condition restricting Congress MP Karti Chidambaram’s foreign travel in the INX Media corruption case.

Justice Ravinder Dudeja modified the condition that required Karti to seek prior permission from the trial court before leaving the country. Instead, the court said the Congress leader must now give a two-week prior intimation to both the trial court and the investigating agency, along with his complete travel itinerary.

The Court also directed Karti to appear regularly before the trial court and not delay proceedings in any manner.

Finding merit in Karti’s plea, Justice Dudeja allowed the application.

The CBI had opposed any relaxation, citing the example of fugitive businessman and former Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Mallya, who fled India while facing criminal proceedings. Karti’s counsel, senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, argued that his client, an elected MP, had consistently cooperated with the investigation and was not a flight risk.

Karti was granted bail by the high court in March 2018 in the INX Media corruption case, subject to the condition that he seek the trial court’s permission before travelling abroad.

The CBI registered the case in May 2017, alleging irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to INX Media for receiving overseas funds worth Rs 305 crore in 2007, when Karti’s father P Chidambaram was the Union Finance Minister. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) subsequently lodged a separate money laundering case.

Case Title: Karti P Chidambaram v. CBI

Bench: Justice Ravinder Dudeja

Hearing Date: 15 October 2025

Inputs: PTI