Breaking procedural barriers, the ED has filed the sanction order for prosecuting P Chidambaram in the Rouse Avenue Court over the INX Media money laundering allegations. This step, secured post-Supreme Court guidelines, injects fresh urgency into a case that has captivated legal and political circles for years.
Stemming from 2017 CBI charges of bribery in FIPB clearances, the ED traced illicit flows from INX Media to Karti Chidambaram’s network. Roughly Rs 65.88 crore was allegedly generated, obscured through layered deals involving shells, healthcare stakes, and international wires devoid of commercial rationale.
Frozen assets exceeding Rs 65 crore, upheld by authorities, form the backbone of evidence. Initial and supplementary complaints since 2020 list Chidambaram Sr., Karti, and associates. Post-2024 SC ruling on public servant sanctions, ED expedited the process, obtaining approval in February 2026.
The filing underscores evolving enforcement strategies amid judicial oversight. As hearings loom, it spotlights enduring questions of transparency in investment approvals and the long arm of anti-corruption laws in holding leaders accountable.