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Synopsis

Appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju has informed the Delhi High Court that it will not arrest Karti Chidambaram, in relation to the Chinese Visa Scam. 

Justice Jasmeet Singh has also directed the ED to file a status report in the matter while saying that it was not able to take up the matter today.

The matter is now listed for July 12. 

Background:

A lower court had previously rejected Chidambaram's anticipatory bail application, along with the others accused in the case. 

The Special Judge MK Bagpal while dismissing the bail application observed:

"The nature and gravity of the alleged offences, the nascent stage of investigation and also the previous criminal antecedents of the accused Karti P Chidambaram and S Bhaskararaman do not make it out a case for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicants or for any further interim protection to them for joining of the investigation of this case as it will seriously hamper the process and progress of investigation,”

The charges against Karti are for facilitating visas of 250 Chinese nationals after accepting bribes of over Rs.50 lakhs. ED has also filed a money laundering case against him.

CBI had also alleged that Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), a Vedanta Group company, had paid an amount of Rs.50 lakh for resistance of Project Visa for 263 Chinese workers. TSPL, at the time, was setting up a power plant in Punjab.

However, Karti Chidambaram has stated that nothing incriminating has been found during the search proceedings against him. 

Project Visas are a special type of visas introduced in 2010 for the power and steel sector. Detailed guidelines for the same were issued during P Chidambaram's tenure as Union Home Minister. However, there was no provision for re-issuance of the said visas. 

Cause Title: Karti Chidambaram vs. ED