Congress MP Karti Chidambaram Skips ED Summons, Brands Chinese Visa Probe Against Him As 'Most Bogus'

In a significant development, Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Karti Chidambaram has dismissed the money laundering probe linked to alleged irregularities in the issuance of visas to 263 Chinese nationals in 2011 as the "most bogus" case.

The 52-year-old MP from Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu, declined to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) this week, citing his engagement in the ongoing Parliament session, as reported by Moneycontrol.

The case, initiated by the ED in 2022 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), revolves around allegations of Rs 50 lakh in kickbacks paid to Karti Chidambaram and his associate S Bhaskararaman by a top executive of Vedanta group company Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL).

Karti Chidambaram, responding to the summons, stated, "there are three categories of cases foisted on me: bogus, more bogus, and most bogus. This is category three. It will be dealt with by my lawyers."

The CBI, in its charges, claims that the kickbacks were related to the re-issuance of project visas for Chinese workers involved in a power project in Punjab.

This marks the third money laundering case against Karti, with ongoing investigations in the INX Media and Aircel-Maxis cases.

Karti Chidambaram has previously characterised these cases as harassment and a witch hunt against him, suggesting they are attempts to target his father, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, through him.