K. Chidambaram moves Delhi HC to quash fresh corruption case

Congress leader and MP Karti Chidambaram has approached the Delhi High Court, seeking to quash a new corruption case filed against him by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The case involves alleged bribery by Diageo Scotland, an alcoholic beverage company.

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The CBI has accused Karti Chidambaram of accepting bribes from Diageo Scotland in exchange for lifting a liquor import ban in 2005, during the tenure of his father, P Chidambaram, as the Union Finance Minister.

"An enquiry revealed that among various FIPB proposals investigated, it was found that Diageo Scotland and Sequoia Capital suspiciously transferred funds to Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt. Ltd., an entity controlled by Karti P. Chidambaram and his close associate, S. Bhaskararaman," the agency stated.

The investigative agency has charged him under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) and Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code, in addition to provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Chidambaram’s plea was scheduled for hearing on Thursday before Justice Vikas Mahajan of the Delhi HC. However, his counsel requested an adjournment, citing the unavailability of the arguing lawyer. The court allowed the request and rescheduled the matter for April 16.

The Congress MP has previously been implicated in several high-profile cases, including the Aircel-Maxis case and the INX Media case.