Indrani Mukerjea, an accused in the INX Media case, is all set to turn an approver against Karti Chidambaram, the son of former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, after the CBI on Friday said it
has no objection to her plea. The agency told the Bombay High Court that it would produce Mukerjea at Patiala House Court in Delhi on May 23.
Indrani has already deposed before the CBI and the ED that she was forced to give `5-crore bribe to Karti on recommendation of P Chidambaram to tackle Income Tax probe in a `300-crore money laundering case.
Indrani and her husband Peter Mukerjea are currently lodged in Byculla jail and are facing charges in the murder of their daughter Sheena Bora. Both of them were accused in the INX Media bribery case also. CBI filed FIR against them along with Karti for the irregularities in the FDI clearance for the INX TV channel.
In 2007, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) cleared only foreign investment in the TV channel for Rs 5 crore. But they illegally routed Rs 305 crore and were caught by Income Tax in 2008, said CBI.
After Income Tax served notice, Indrani and husband approached Finance Minister Chidambaram and a bribe of Rs 5 core was given to Karti. The bribe was deposited in two firms controlled by Karti and FIPB provided post-facto clearance to INX Media, accused CBI.
Enforcement Directorate had already attached Rs 50 crore worth properties of Karti in Delhi, Ooty, London and Spain. CBI and ED have been pressing for custodial interrogation of Chidambaram, who has obtained interim protection from Delhi High Court. With Indrani turning an approver, the agencies are expected to file chargesheet soon.
The CBI moved an application before Judge JC Jagadale requesting him to issue suitable directions to jail authorities for her production in a Delhi court on May 23. The judge said Indrani Mukerjea is required to be present before the court in Delhi as a production warrant is issued against her. He then directed the Byculla jail superintendent to transfer her custody to CBI officers.