The Patiala House Court in Delhi granted the CBI five-day custody of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram on Thursday, after the investigative agency argued that the businessman was yet to answer 'basic questions' on his involvement in the INX media case. But not getting any answers from him doesn’t seem to be the CBI’s only problem right now. Officers reportedly say that Karti is throwing one tantrum after another in custody.
Karti is alleged to have received Rs 10 lakh from Mumbai-based INX media, now 9X Media, for helping it get the FIPB clearance when it was run by directors, Peter and Indrani Mukerjea. Karti is facing a probe for his alleged role in facilitating the FIPB's clearance for INX Media when his father was the Union Finance Minister. CBI special judge Sunil Rana listened to both parties for three hours on Thursday before granting the CBI custody till March 6. But this was not before Karti had his share of tantrums.
It began at the Chennai airport where he was arrested by the CBI. He reportedly demanded an upgrade to business class for his trip to Delhi. When the CBI was firm that rules only permit travel by economy class, he tried to persuade an airline to let him use his frequent flyer mileage.
Later, when the CBI was granted custody, Karti requested that he get home cooked food. When this was denied by the court, he told the CBI, "I hope your investigating officer will have Swiggy or Zomato to order food. I am planning to make full use of it." When the CBI replied in the negative, he added, "Then you will have to get Swiggy or Zomato."
He further refused to remove his gold chains and rings, citing religious reasons.
And after all this, according to Bar and Bench, Karti reportedly spoke to his friend in Tamil, when a CBI official asked him to communicate in English.
"If that is the case, even you should speak in English with each other when I am there," replied Karti.
The CBI official then reportedly retorted, "You are in custody, not us."