Tightening noose around  former Finance and  Home Minister P Chidambaram, the Centre has given sanction to the CBI to  prosecute him in the INX Media bribery case.

The agency  is expected to file chargesheet against Chidambaram, son Karti and senior officials in the Finance Ministry soon for blatant violation in granting illegal post facto clearance to INX Media’ promoters Peter and Indrani Mukerjeas in 2007.

Enforcement Directorate has already attached Karti and his firms Rs 55 crore worth properties in Delhi, Ooty, London and Spain. The market value of these properties are expected to be more than Rs 300 crore.

In November, the Centre had given sanction to prosecute Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis case.

The INX Media bribe was detected  by the ED during their joint raid with Income Tax at  Chidambaram’s home and Karti’s firms in December 2015 in connection with Aircel-Maxis probe.

As per the CBI’s FIR, in 2007, INX Media got FIPB clearance to accept Rs. five crore as FDI. The Income Tax found that that INX illegally accepted Rs 305 crore and issued notice to Peter and Indrani, promoters of the TV channel.

After getting notice from Income Tax, the promoters approached Chidambaram and Karti and paid around Rs 5 crore bribes.

The kickback was routed to Karti’s firms Advantage Strategic Consulting and Chess Management Service. Afte Karti allegedly  received the kickbacks, the FIPB headed by Chidambaram issued a n “illegall” post factor clearance to INX Media to accept Rs.305 crore as FDI

The CBI in February 2018 arrested Karti in a surprise move, when he landed from London. Sensing danger,  Chidambaram approached Delhi High Court and obtained interim protection from arrest. The CBI and ED also approached the High Court demanding custodial interrogation of Chidambaram. Lasdt week,  Delhi High Court   reserved the matter for orders.