The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday raided the Chennai office of Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P Chidambaram, following allegations of money laundering linked to the 2G spectrum case.
Karti Chidambaram confirmed that the ED team was investigating three firms, two of which belong to his friends. He claimed to not know of the third company. “Neither I nor any member of my family is a shareholder or director in any of these said firms,” he said in a statement, adding that nothing relevant was found in his office. He maintained that the raid was baseless.
The ED search also drew a strong reaction from P Chidambaram. “As can be expected, nothing was found in the fishing and roving inquiry. I would like to see how far a foolish government will go in harassing him [Karti],” he said.
The ED and the Income Tax Department had earlier this month raided Advantage Strategic Consulting, a company with which Karti Chidambaram was had been associated. Two directors of the company were summoned in August in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case, after allegations emerged that a transaction of more than Rs 200 crore took place between the companies. The case is being investigated as part of the 2G scam.
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