SC To Peruse “Confidential Reports” In Karti Case In Open Court

The Supreme Court today said it will examine the documents submitted in a sealed cover by the CBI  in the open court to allay any apprehension of Karti Chidambaram and others facing probe regarding irregularities  in FIPB clearance given to INX Media Ltd.

ASG Tushar Mehta has been asked to place the documents before it on November 9.

The bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra agreed to examine the documents after Mehta, appearing for CBI, said it will be travesty of justice if the court does not see the papers and form an opinion.

The CBI FIR, lodged on May 15, had alleged irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Karti's father was the Union Finance Minister.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Karti, urged the court to pass any order saying the case with regard to the Look Out Circular (LOC) has been lingering on for over three months now.

He said that Karti has to go for a lecture at a UK university on the 'rule of law in Pakistan' on November 10, but due to this case, his passport has been impounded.

Opposing it, the ASG said :"it was beyond my understanding as to how important the lecture on Rule of Law in Pakistan would be. Karti cannot be allowed to travel abroad pending investigation".

While reading the affidavit filed by Karti, Mehta said the CBI cannot be so irresponsible as to incorporate media reports as its evidence. There are evidence of transaction to INX Media through Indrani Mukherjea and through Peter Mukherjea and Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited, he alleged.