HC rejects plea of Chidambaram's kin against sanction of I-T prosecution under BMA

The Madras High Court today dismissed prayers of three family members of former Union Minister P Chidambaram seeking to prohibit the Income Tax department from sanctioning any prosecution against them under the Black Money Act (BMA).

When the petitions filed by Nalini, wife of Chidambaram; Karti Chidambaram and his wife Srinidhi came up, Justice T S Sivagnanam refused to accede to their prayers to prohibit the sanctioning of prosecution by the I-T department for alleged economic offences, against them.

Two petitions were filed separately by Nalini and Srinidhi seeking a direction to the I-T officials not to sanction any prosecution under the Act.

While another petition by Karti sought a direction to the I-T authorities to pass orders pursuant to the notices issued on various dates under the Act and the replies furnished by him thereon.

In his order, the judge said, "The Income Tax department is directed to pass orders in accordance with the provisions of Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and imposition of Tax 2015 (Act 22 of 2015) within the time line fixed under the Act."