CBI files FIR against Karti Chidambaram in fresh corruption case

The Central Bureau of Investigation has booked Congress MP Karti Chidambaram in a fresh corruption case, accusing him of accepting bribes to allegedly help lift a ban imposed on alcoholic beverage company Diageo Scotland for the sale of duty-free liquor, The Times of India reported.

The first information report, filed on January 1 based on a complaint by CBI Inspector Ravi Raj Khatik, also mentions Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited, an entity controlled by Karti Chidambaram and his associate S Bhaskararaman, and Diageo Scotland, Sequoia Capital Mauritius and Vasan Healthcare Private Limited.

A preliminary enquiry was started in May 2018 against Karti Chidambaram, Advantage Strategic Consulting, Bhaskararaman and unknown public servants of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, among others, to investigate the processing and approvals by the panel.

The board is tasked with processing applications for foreign direct investment.

Diageo Scotland had been exporting duty-free Johnnie Walker whisky to India till April 2005 when the India Tourism Development Corporation embargoed the sale of the liquor manufacturer’s duty-free products, the CBI said. This resulted in losses for the company as a significant proportion of its business in India relied on selling Johnnie Walker whisky, the agency claimed.

The central investigative agency has alleged that Diageo Scotland approached Karti Chidambaram, the son of former Union Finance…

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