SC allows Karti Chidambram to travel abroad with conditions

The Supreme Court on Monday allowed Karti Chidambaram, son of senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram, to travel abroad subject to certain conditions.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud allowed Karti Chidambram's plea to travel to Britain, France and the US from July 23 to 31, but made it clear that he has to abide by the conditions imposed by it in an earlier similar order.

Senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, appearing for Karti Chidambaram, told the bench that he was planning to visit offshore destinations for personal reasons.

The bench said Karti Chidambaram has to surrender his passport with the Enforcement Directorate after he returns from his visit.

He is facing probes by the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation in several cases, including alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to then INX Media for FDI in 2007 and the Aircel-Maxis case in 2006 and a money laundering case.

Earlier, the apex court had asked Karti Chidambaram to furnish an undertaking before the court that he would follow the conditions and inform about his flight details and the date of return to India.

He was told to not open or close any bank account abroad.

The court had also said he would cooperate in the investigation and hand over his passport to the Enforcement Directorate on his return.

--IANS

gt/vd