Income Tax dept allowed to frame charges against Karti, wife

When the plea came up, the special court for trial of criminal cases against MPs and MLAs judge, D Lingeshwaran, found merit in the evidence submitted by the prosecution and dismissed it. The judge then sought both the accused to be present in the court on January 21. He also said warrants would be issued if both failed to appear during the next hearing.

The matter relates to the alleged non-disclosure of Rs 1.25 crore received by Karti Chidambaram, son of former union minister P Chidambaram, and his wife in cash for sale of land in Muttukadu near here. According to the special public prosecutor for the I-T department, Karti Chidambaram, wife Srinidhi and his mother Nalini had sold their assets at Muttukadu to Agni Estates and Foundations Private Limited for 4.25 crore. However, the sale deeds were registered for Rs 3 crore per acre, and Rs 1.25 crore per acre was paid to the accused in cash.

It was further alleged that Karti received a sum of Rs 6.38 crore in cash in respect to the sale transactions. The prosecution contended that the accused, however, had not disclosed the receipt of cash components nor paid income tax for the year 2014-15. It also alleged that Karti’s wife received Rs 1.35 crore in cash and didn’t disclose it in her tax records for 2015-16.