Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 23: A Delhi court on Tuesday ordered the framing of charges against Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram and six others in connection with the Chinese visa scam case. Special Judge (CBI) Dig Vinay Singh, who is hearing the case, directed that charges be framed against seven accused while discharging one, Chetan Shrivastava.
The court’s order, dated December 23, cites alleged criminal conspiracy as the primary offence, though detailed proceedings are awaited.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had earlier filed a charge sheet in October 2024 against Karti Chidambaram, his alleged close associate S Bhaskararaman, and others including companies Talawandi Sabo Power Ltd (TSPL), a Vedanta subsidiary, and Mumbai-based Bell Tools Ltd, which allegedly routed the bribe payments. The charge sheet invokes provisions of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and forgery under the Indian Penal Code, along with the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case traces back to a 2022 FIR, following a two-year probe by the CBI into TSPL’s 1980 MW thermal power project, which was delayed and faced potential penalties. The agency alleged that an executive of TSPL approached Karti Chidambaram through Bhaskararaman to illegally secure re-approval for 263 project visas allotted to a Chinese company, Shandong Electric Power Construction Corp (SEPCO).
Project visas, introduced in 2010 for the power and steel sector, had no provision for re-issuance. The FIR claims that TSPL executives submitted a letter to the Home Ministry on July 30, 2011, seeking approval for reusing the visas, which was granted within a month. Bhaskararaman, after discussions with then Home Minister P Chidambaram, allegedly demanded Rs 50 lakh in illegal gratification for ensuring approval.
The CBI further alleged that the bribe was routed through Bell Tools Ltd, disguised as consultancy and out-of-pocket expenses. Payments were made via cheque and later disbursed in cash to Bhaskararaman. TSPL executives are said to have expressed gratitude to Karti Chidambaram and Bhaskararaman through email for facilitating the visa approvals.
The other accused named in the charge sheet include Viral Mehta, Anup Agarwal, Mansoor Siddiqui, and Chetan Shrivastava.