INX Media case: CBI explains charges to Court; all 14 accused summoned

The CBI officials privy to the investigation in the INX media case, in which former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti are facing trial, have said on Monday, that they have taken all the steps to leave no stone unturned in the case. They have said that legal advice was taken from experts before filing the charge sheet. Before adding sections of PMLA and IPC they have discussed to ensure that no mistake was committed.

CBI justifies charges mentioned in charge sheet 

On Monday, judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar while taking cognisance of the charge sheet, asked questions related to the particular sections in which the accused were charge-sheeted. The CBI officials said that the government exchequer was put to loss by the accused persons. They said that two rules were violated, no approval was taken for downstream payment and FEMA rules were not followed to favour the accused. 

"This was why we added section 420 of IPC which deals into cheating,"  said the CBI official. 

READ | CBI: 'Karti Chidambaram influenced public servants in INX media case'

When the judge asked to explain why section 468 of IPC which deals with forged documents was added, the CBI official said that Chess Management firm issued fake invoices and money was paid to them by INX media as an alleged bribe. 

"Because of the fake invoice we charged the accused with section 468 of the IPC, " the official said. 

READ | “Witness tampering” alleges CBI in SC; Chidambaram says “media trial”

Sources said that Chess Management which is a consultancy firm was allegedly being controlled by Karti Chidambaram. The firm was sending invoices to get money in the name of fee to INX media firm.

"They pretended that they gave service to INX media case and were charging fee. Whereas, our investigation suggests that no service was given to INX by Chess Management and the invoices were issued at the instruction of Karti Chidambaram to get money," said a source. 

READ | PM Modi indirectly hits out at Chidambaram for destroying Indian banks

All accused summoned

On Monday, the court took the cognisance of the charge sheet and have summoned all the accused. The CBI have charge-sheeted 14 persons including P Chidambaram and his son Karti in the case. P Chidambaram and Karti Chidambaram have alleged that the case is nothing but a political vendetta against them. 

READ | ED gets Chidambaram's custody till October 24 in INX Media case