Delhi High Court Justice Recuses from Karti Chidambaram's Petition in Diageo Bribery Case
Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma Steps Aside from Hearing
On Wednesday, Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court recused herself from hearing the petition filed by Congress MP Karti Chidambaram. The petition seeks to dismiss a case registered by the CBI related to an alleged bribery scandal involving Diageo Scotland. The High Court is currently reviewing Chidambaram's challenge against the FIR, which alleges that he used his influence to lift a ban on the duty-free sale of whiskey produced by Diageo Scotland.
The CBI has claimed that illegal bribes were funneled through Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt. Ltd., a company reportedly linked to Chidambaram and his associates.
Details of the Allegations
According to the agency, the FIR includes provisions under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for criminal conspiracy, fraud, and the use of forged documents, as well as sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The allegations involve suspicious payments allegedly made through consultancy contracts and related financial transactions.
In his petition, Chidambaram has denied all allegations, labeling the FIR as a product of "political vendetta" and arguing that there was an unexplained delay in its filing. His lawyer, Arshdeep Singh Khurana, also contended that the mandatory prior approval under Section 17-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act was not obtained before initiating the investigation, rendering the process procedurally flawed.
Lack of Specific Evidence
The petition further states that Chidambaram was not summoned for any preliminary investigation and that the FIR does not identify any specific government official whom he allegedly influenced. It also claims that there is no prima facie evidence in this case. However, the CBI maintains that its investigation has uncovered suspicious payments made to Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt. Ltd. by Diageo Scotland and other entities, indicating a broader conspiracy.