In a significant development in the long-running Chinese visa scam probe, the Delhi High Court has summoned the CBI following a challenge by Congress leader Karti Chidambaram. The MP contests a lower court’s decision to proceed with charges in the 2011 scandal involving visa misuse for Chinese laborers.
During the hearing before Justice Manoj Jain, the court not only issued notices on the main revision petition but also on an application seeking to halt trial court actions. This move comes amid Chidambaram’s firm stance that the case lacks foundational evidence for corruption charges.
Arguing for his client, prominent lawyer Siddharth Luthra highlighted the absence of public servant involvement, a prerequisite for invoking Prevention of Corruption Act sections. He slammed the trial court’s reliance on IPC Section 204 charges without corroborative proof, urging the High Court to intervene.
The bench assured consideration of interim stay requests post-CBI response, scheduling the next date for February 12. The CBI prosecutor appeared on advance notice and requested time for a detailed status report.
The petition targets a special CBI court’s December 23 ruling, accusing Chidambaram of conspiracy and abetment in bribery to secure extended visas for 250 Chinese workers at a Vedanta-associated power plant in Punjab’s Mansa. The project, Talwandi Sabo Power Limited, allegedly flouted visa norms for construction labor.
Notably, the case’s judicial journey has been bumpy, with multiple recusals by High Court judges including Swarna Kanta Sharma, Anup Jairam Bambhani, and Girish Kathpalia. One accused, Chetan Srivastava, escaped charges in the same order.
CBI’s narrative paints a picture of systemic rule-breaking by the Home Ministry, prioritizing project timelines over immigration protocols. As political crossfire intensifies, Chidambaram’s legal team eyes a favorable High Court pivot to derail the prosecution’s momentum.
This unfolding drama keeps the spotlight on accountability in public-private partnerships, with the February hearing poised to shape the trial’s trajectory.