Congress dubs case against Karti Chidambaram as 'political vendetta'

As the Enforcement Directorate (ED) slapped a money laundering case against P. Chidamabaram's son Karti and others, the Congress Party on 20 may hit out at the ruling party and alleged a political vendetta behind it.

"This is being done with the vendetta and it is a revengeful attitude, as leaders like Chidamabaram are actively indulged in politics. If leaders like him are defamed than naturally the party would become weak. This is why they are accusing the leader of the Congress Party at various places," Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge told ANI.

He said that the ruling party is trying to malign the image of the party and added that they would never succeed as such conspiracy would only make the Congress party more stronger.

"If somebody has really committed a crime so the law is there, they have the right to reach to the court. But to attack selective people and to use CBI is not correct," he said.

Earlier on 19 may, the Enforcement Directorate slapped a money laundering case against Karti and others, taking cognizance of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR against him.

This came after the Income-Tax raids at Karti's residence in Chennai.

Karti, whose residence was raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the grant of FIPB approval to INX media private Ltd, said here on 17 may that the 'drama' was finally over.

This came after his asserting that all charges against him are completely bogus and he will stand vindicated one day.

"Whatever I heard is only from the media. Nothing of substance. All charges on me are completely bogus and I will stand vindicated one day," Karti told the media.

However, CBI Joint Director Vineet Vinayak said the investigation is still underway and some important evidences such as hard disks, mails and documents have been recovered.

Vinayak said a criminal case was registered on 19 may under various sections of conspiracy, illegal gratification to influence a public servant, cheating and misuse of official position against five main individuals and entities, unnamed officials of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) and others in the matters related in the grant of FIPB approval to INX media private Ltd, represented by its then directors Indrani Mukerjea and Pritam Mukerjea alias Peter Mukerjea.

An FIR has been lodged against Karti, Indrani Mukerjea, unknown officers of FIPB Unit of Ministry of Finance and others over alleged financial misappropriation over Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to Peter and Indrani's media company INX Media in 2008.

The charges include criminal conspiracy, cheating, taking gratification in order by corrupt or illegal means to influence public servant and criminal misconduct.

The case has been registered under section 120-B r/w, section 420, section 8 and section 13(2) r/w and 13 (1) (d) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

-ANI