August 16,2017:

Apex Court Bench felt that all CBI want is to question him but till date he has not presented himself before CBI even once.

Karti Chidambaram, Son of Ex-finance minister P Chidambaram, who has avoided facing CBI, ran out of options on Monday with Supreme Court firmly telling him that he must appear before the agency.

He is wanted in connection with probe into alleged illegality in FIPB clearance for Rs 305 crore irregular FDI in INX Media in 2007.

Responding to an urgent petition by CBI, Apex Court Bench comprising of CJI J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud stayed Madras High Court order permitting Karti to go abroad despite a lookout circular issued by the CBI in connection with INX Media-FIPB case.

Karti was set to travel abroad on August 16,2017.

Supreme Court Bench had posted the matter for August 18,2017 when he would inform Supreme Court when he would appear before the CBI to answer the questions relating to the alleged irregularities in the foreign investments in INX Media.

Karti's counsel Gopal Subramaniam had cast him as victim of CBI's political vendetta against his father, but the ASG Tushar Mehta, appearing for CBI, argued that Madras HC lacked jurisdiction to stay lookout circular.

Apex Court Bench expounded that,"All CBI want is to question you and not go abroad till then. But, till date you have not presented yourself even once before the CBI.

Court further added that, "CBI had power under law to arrest you and seize your passport. They have not done it either. First time you went abroad, you asked for the second date for appearing before CBI. They gave you. You got the second notice to appear before them. Should they keep sending you notice after notice".

CBI in its petition submitted that Karti-controlled the companies had taken service charges from the INX Media to use their influence in Finance Ministry to facilitate media group in getting over Rs 300 crore investment as against original FIPB clearance for investment of Rs 4.62 crore.

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