New Delhi. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing the alleged visa scam involving Chinese nationals, has feared that Karti Chidambaram, the accused in the case and son of former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, may flee the country. The ED has opposed the Delhi High Court granting anticipatory bail to Karti by the investigating agency. The ED claims that the complicity of Karti Chidambaram has been exposed in this crime that endangers the security of the country. In the status report given in the court on July 11, he said that if the court gives bail-like security to the accused, then the interrogation will not be successful, the investigation will be affected and the accused can also flee abroad.
The investigating agency has appealed to the court not to grant anticipatory bail to Karti, citing the example of many big scam accused fleeing abroad. The ED has also said that it is not going to take any action against Karti at the moment. On behalf of the Enforcement Directorate, it was told in the court that the investigation is still in the preliminary stage. Karti is a very influential person and also a parliamentarian. The ED has requested the court to see the status of the investigation. It has said that national security was put at risk for financial gain. It has also had a bad effect on the economy of the country.
Karti is accused of alleged visa scam. In this case, the ED has also registered a case against him and others under the Money Laundering Act. The alleged scam happened in the year 2011. When visas were issued to 263 citizens of China. At that time, Karti’s father P. Chidambaram was the Home Minister in the central government of the UPA. The CBI has already registered a case in this matter. ED has started investigation by registering a case under PMLA on the basis of CBI FIR. Karti could face a long sentence if the charges are proved in this case.