A recent development in the INX Media case, which landed senior Congress leader P Chidambaram in jail, has allowed CBI to question the co-founder of the media company Indrani Mukerjea.
The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday sought the court’s permission to question Indrani, saying they want clarity on certain financial transactions related to the case. Special CBI Judge JC Jagdale permitted the central agency to question Indrani inside Mumbai’s Byculla prison where she is lodged under judicial custody in the murder case of her daughter Sheena Bora.
Indrani Mukerjea and her husband Peter Mukerjea, co-accused in the murder case of her daughter, Sheena Bora, are former promoters of the INX Media Group. Indrani is in custody since August 2015 as one of the prime accused in the April 2012 disappearance and subsequent murder of her 24-year old daughter Sheena Bora.
Indrani had recorded her confessional statement against former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti following which she was made an “approver” in the corruption case. The 47-year-old former media executive can be questioned between 9.30am and 12.30pm, the court said.
P Chidambaram was arrested on August 21 by the CBI in the INX Media corruption and money-laundering case. The Congress leader is lodged in Delhi’s Tihar jail who is under judicial custody.
Indrani Mukerjea had recorded her statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, claiming she and her husband met P Chidambaram at the latter’s office in Delhi’s North Block when he was the Finance Minister.
She also claimed in her statement that P Chidambaram had asked her to help his son Karti in his business and make overseas remittances in return for granting Foreign Investment Promotion Board’s approval to INX Media.
The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in the FIPB clearance granted to the INX Media Group for receiving overseas funds of Rs. 305 crore in 2007 during Mr Chidambaram’s tenure as the finance minister.