
CBI Files Corruption Case Against Karti Chidambaram
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a corruption case against Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P Chidambaram. The case alleges that Karti Chidambaram used his influence to help alcoholic beverage company Diageo Scotland.
The CBI alleges that Diageo Scotland and Sequoia Capital made suspicious payments to Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt. Ltd (ASCPL), a company controlled by Karti Chidambaram. This is the fourth corruption case against Karti Chidambaram.
The case stems from a 2018 investigation into alleged irregularities in granting Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance when P Chidambaram was the finance minister.
The CBI has named ASCPL, Diageo Scotland, Sequoia Capital, Vasan Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Karti Chidambaram, and Bhaskararaman in the FIR. The case has been registered under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The CBI's investigation revealed that Diageo Scotland approached Karti Chidambaram to seek the lifting of an embargo on the sale of its duty-free products in India. The company made payments of $15,000 to ASCPL, which it accepted as a "consultation fee."
The CBI is also investigating suspicious share transactions involving Sequoia Capital and Vasan Healthcare. The agency alleges that the share transactions were not conducted in the ordinary course of business but were part of a conspiracy to benefit Karti Chidambaram.