Chinese Visa Scam: ED Registers Money Laundering Case Against Congress MP Karti Chidambaram

On Wednesday, Karti Chidambaram is also expected to join the investigation at CBI headquarters in New Delhi.

Karti Chidambaram (File Photo/ABP Nadu)

Chennai: The Enforcement Directorate registered a money laundering case against Congress MP Karti Chidambaram and others in an alleged Chinese visa scam on Wednesday. The officials said, the Federal Agency filed a case under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by taking cognizance of a recent FIR by CBI in the same case.

Further, they said, the ED will probe the possible "proceeds of crime" caused due to the illegal activity, said a report on PTI.

As per the FIR earlier registered by CBI, Karti Chidambaram facilitated visas allegedly to 263 Chinese nationals by receiving a bribe of Rs 50 lakh in 2011. 

The CBI registered a case after conducting raids in over 10 locations across cities including Chennai and Delhi in the premises owned by Karti Chidambaram, his CA Bhaskaraman and his father P Chidambaram. 

However, after the searches, P Chidambaram said, CBI team found nothing nor did they seize anything but the timing of the search was interesting.

Meanwhile, Karti Chidambaram is expected to join the investigation at CBI headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday. A CBI officer told ANI that they didn't summon Karti since the Court already told him to join the probe within 16 hours of reaching India. Moreover, CBI may issue the summon if he fails to join the probe, he added.

Earlier, Karti's CA Bhaskaraman was arrested by the case on May 17.