In an attempt to make further headway in the INX Media money laundering case, the CBI took Karti Chidambaram to the Byculla Jail in Mumbai on Monday to question him along with Indrani Mukerjea, who is in jail for the murder of her daughter Sheena Bora. Karti’s arrest on February 28 was based on Indrani Mukerjea’s confessional statement that she bribed him. According to reports, Indrani Mukerjea stuck to her version of events on Monday, stating that she had bribed Karti.
Speaking to ToI, CBI sources reportedly said that Mukerjea “repeated everything she had said in her statement recorded under Section 164 of CrPC before a magistrate and during her examination by investigators.” Sources reportedly added that Mukerjea was ready to stand by her statement in court.
According to The Hindu, Mukerjea told the investigating agency that Karti Chidambaram had demanded and received a million dollars as bribe for 'settling' a probe against INX media on charges of violating FIPB (Foreign investment Promotion Board) rules. She is claimed to have paid $700,000 to Karti, according to the TOI report.
Indrani Mukerjea has claimed to have met former Union Minister P Chidambaram to end a tax probe of her INX Media while Karti’s legal team is questioning the credibility of a person who stands accused of murdering her daughter in the Sheena Bora murder case.
ET reports that a six member CBI team brought Karti to the jail at 11: 15 am on Sunday. The meeting between the two reportedly lasted about four hours. Karti, who has reportedly been throwing tantrum after tantrum, stood on the footboard of the CBI car and waved to media persons while leaving the jail. The CBI reportedly asked him to get down even as they flew Karti back to Delhi.
Karti Chidambaram was arrested on Wednesday upon his arrival at the Chennai airport from the United Kingdom. Over the past year, several raids were conducted on Karti Chidambaram’s offices and residences by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI. He is facing a probe for his alleged role in facilitating the FIPB's clearance for INX Media when his father, P Chidambaram, was the Union Finance Minister.