Decide on lookout circular against Karti: SC tells Madras HC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Madras High Court to decide in entirety all the issues including that of territorial jurisdiction in Karti Chidambaram's plea challenging the lookout circular issued against him by the CBI in the INX Media case.

The bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y.Chandrachud said that the High Court will decide on Karti Chidambaram's plea within two months.

Karti Chidambaram is the son of former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.

The CBI has alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance in the INX Media case and is investigating the alleged role of Karti Chidambaram.

During the period the High Court will decided the issue, the lookout circular will remain in operation and if Chidambaram junior wants to go abroad he will move the High Court for permission. The lookout circular was issued for a limited purpose of preventing Karti Chidambaram from travelling abroad.

The lookout circular was stayed by the Madras High court.

The CBI has contended that the Madras High court had no territorial jurisdiction to entertain a challenge to the lookout circular by Chidambaram junior.

However, the top court made it operational after it had put on hold the stay granted by the High court.