In more trouble for former Finance Minister P Chidamabram and son Karti in the INX Media bribery case, co-accused Indrani Mukerjea on Thursday filed a petition in the trial court seeking pardon and her intention to turn approver.
Indrani has already given her statement to the CBI and ED claiming she had given 10 million dollars to Karti’s firms on the direction of Chidambaram to get FIPB clearance.
Hearing Indrani through video conferencing, Judge Sunil Rana posted the case for February 14. Indrani is currently lodged in Byculla Jail in Mumbai as she is facing trial for murder of her daughter Sheena Bora.
Indrani and her husband Peter Mukerjea are currently in jail for the murder case and also co-accused with Chidambaram for paying bribes to get FDI clearance to their TV channel INX Media in 2007.
Responding positively as the court asked her whether application seeking grant of pardon has been moved voluntarily, she also said that she has not engaged counsel to represent her and requested a legal aid counsel be provided to her. The court directed Delhi Legal Service Authority to appoint counsel for Mukerjea.
Delhi High Court had already reserved orders for the application filed by Chidambaram seeking protection from arrest by CBI and ED. The agencies told HC that they need Chidambaram’s custodial interrogation.