A judge of the Delhi High Court on Tuesday recused herself from hearing a petition filed by Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, seeking to quash a CBI FIR against him. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma directed that the matter be placed before another bench, without going into the merits of the case.
According to NDTV, the plea challenges an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation over allegations that Chidambaram helped an alcoholic beverage company bypass restrictions on duty-free whisky sales.
In his petition, Chidambaram has argued that the FIR, registered on January 1, 2025, suffers from a “gross delay", noting that the allegations relate to events between 2004 and 2010. He has claimed the case is “malicious” and driven by a political vendetta.
The plea further contends that the FIR was filed without prior approval from the competent authority against unnamed public servants, making the investigation unlawful.
Also Read | Delhi court jails two CBI officers in decades-old illegal search case
Case linked to FIPB clearance
The case originates from a preliminary inquiry initiated in 2018 into alleged irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board approvals during the tenure of P. Chidambaram as finance minister. According to the CBI, the FIR names entities such as Katra Holdings and Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd, along with Chidambaram and others.
Also Read | Delhi HC flags delay in filling Minorities Commission posts, seeks answers from GNCTD
Allegations of financial irregularities
Investigators have alleged that a foreign liquor company received relief after a ban was imposed by the India Tourism Development Corporation on duty-free whisky sales. The FIR also refers to alleged suspicious payments made to a consulting firm linked to Chidambaram and his associate.
With the judge recusing herself, the matter will now be heard by a different bench. The case is scheduled to be listed next on July 21, when further proceedings are expected to take place.
