CA Arrest: CBI Arrests Karti Chidambaram’s CA in Bribe-for-Visa Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested S Bhaskararaman, a chartered accountant and accused front man for Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, late Tuesday night in connection with bribe for Visa case.

The CBI also raided the homes and offices of Sivaganga MP Karti P Chidambaram and Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram on Tuesday.

Bhaskararaman is a co-defendant in the case. According to sources, the agency is planning to face Bhaskararaman with Karti Chidambaram. Bhaskararaman is also expected to be questioned regarding an alleged shell firm (located in Mumbai) that was utilised to receive an unlawful gratification of Rs.50 lakhs for Karti Chidambaram.

In a new FIR, the agency claims Karti Chidambaram received a “illegal payoff of Rs.50 lakh to illegally facilitate visas for 263 Chinese nationals” in order to complete a power project in Punjab.

Karti Chidambaram is being prosecuted

Karti Chidambaram was charged with a new FIR by the CBI after being under the radar of investigative authorities in the INX Media and Aircel Maxis scams. Along with him, Bhaskararaman, Talwandi Sabo Power Limited, its affiliate Vikas Makharia, Bell Tools Limited, and unknown public personnel and private individuals were charged under Section 120B of the IPC and Sections 8,9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The aforementioned Chinese visa scam is reported to have occurred during the UPA regime in July-August 2011 for the Talwandi Sabo Power Project.

While Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), a Vedanta subsidiary, was in charge of developing a 1980 MW Thermal Power Plant in Mansa, Punjab, the work was outsourced to Chinese business Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation (SEPCO). Because the power plant’s construction was falling behind schedule, TPSL allegedly wanted more Chinese specialists on the job to avoid disciplinary action, despite the fact that there was a cap on the number of work licences granted to foreign nationals. According to the CBI, Makharia sought the Sivaganga MP’s CA for the aforementioned purpose.

Meanwhile, in response to the raids, P Chidambaram stated, “A CBI team raided my Chennai home and my official residence in Delhi this morning. The team presented me a FIR in which I am not identified as a defendant.”

“Nothing was discovered or seized by the search crew. I’d like to point out that the timing of the search is intriguing ” He stated.

The investigation is still ongoing.