Big blow to Karti Chidambaram in Chinese Visa Case, CBI arrests Bhaskar Raman, first arrest in this case

In the Chinese Visa Case, the CBI has arrested Bhaskar Raman, a close aide of Karti, son of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram. This is the first arrest in this case. On Tuesday, the CBI had raided about seven locations of Chidambaram across the country. After this raid, Chidambaram tweeted that the investigating agency did not get anything during this period. He also wrote that his name was not included as an accused in the papers shown by the CBI during this period.

what is the whole matter?

This matter is related to getting a visa by taking money. Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram is also trapped in this. According to the FIR registered by the CBI in this case, this case is from 2011. P Chidambaram was the Home Minister at that time. A Chinese company, Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation (Sepco), got the contract from Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL) to build a power plant at Mansa in Punjab.

demand for sepco

SEPCO desperately needed to bring in additional Chinese experts to avoid delays in the construction of the power plant and heavy fines for failure to complete the work on time. But because of the limited number of visas issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to such companies, SEPCO was unable to bring in experts.

Bhaskararaman's mention

According to CBI, TSPL Vice President Vikas Makharia contacted S Bhaskar Raman, a close aide of P Chidambaram. Bhaskararaman assured to get the work done instead of Rs 50 lakh. After that, the visas of 263 experts of the Chinese company were extended. After this, an amount of Rs 50 lakh was sent to Mumbai-based company Bell Tools Limited through fake invoices and from there the amount reached Bhaskararaman and Karti Chidambaram.

Such was the name of Karti

The invoice mentioned the additional cost involved in renewing the visa, whereas Bell Tools had never provided such a consultancy. According to the CBI's FIR, Bhaskararaman and Vikas Makharia were in constant communication over email in connection with the issuance of visas to Chinese nationals and the transaction of Rs 50 lakh. Bhaskar Raman forwarded all emails to Karti Chidambaram.

Claims to have strong evidence against Karti

CBI says that it has strong electronic and other evidence against Karti Chidambaram in this case. A senior CBI official said that certainly the then Home Minister and Home Secretary must have been aware of the visa renewal and it would have been done on their instructions, but for this, they had to know about the transaction of Rs 50 lakh. Whether it was known or not, it cannot be said with certainty.

Whose name in the FIR

In the FIR registered on May 14, the CBI has also accused Karti Chidambaram, his close associates Bhaskararaman, Vikas Makharia, TSPL, Bell Tools Ltd. An unknown government official and a private person have been made accused as the sixth accused. Various sections of IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act have been imposed against them. However, the name of P Chidambaram is not included in the FIR registered in this case.

Also Read: CBI Raid: CBI raids at many places including the office and residence of P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram