INX Media case: SC asks CBI if Karti can travel abroad

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to respond whether former finance minister P. Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram could be allowed to travel abroad for four to five days.

The apex court was hearing Karti's plea seeking permission to travel to the U.K.

Karti is an accused in the INX Media case.

The top court also asked the probe agency as to what can be the conditions imposed on Karti so that he does not escape.

The matter has been adjourned till November 16.

The apex court had earlier on November 6 rejected Karti's plea after the CBI opposed it, saying that he might tamper with the evidence, which is very crucial for the ongoing investigation, in the country.

A look out notice issued by the CBI on July 18 prevents Karti from travelling abroad without the investigating agency's permission.

It has been alleged that Karti illegally took service charges for getting the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to the INX Media for receiving funds from abroad worth Rs. 305 crore in 2007, when his father P. Chidambaram was the finance minister in Congress-led UPA government.