Tax Evasion Case Against Karti Chidamabaram: Madras HC Judge Agrees To Step Aside As She Was Once A Lawyer For Karti’s Firm

Agreeing to a request by the advocate appearing on behalf of the Income Tax department, Justice Anita Sumanth has recommended to Chief Justice of Madras High Court to allocate a different judge for the tax evasion case involving Congress Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram and his wife Srinidhi, Polimer News reported.

The case pertains to the alleged non-disclosure of Rs 1.35 crore received by Karti Chidambaram, son of former union minister P Chidambaram and his wife Srinidhi in cash for sale of land at Muttukadu.

The advocate appearing for the Income Tax department submitted to the Justice Anita Sumanth that the tax evasion case was initiated based on documents and electronic materials found during a search on the premise of Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd, a company controlled by Karti that has emerged as the focal point of several dubious transactions.

Pointing out that Justice Anita Sumanth before her elevation as judge of Madras High court had served as lawyer for Karti and his firm Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt, the advocate appearing for the Income Tax department requested Justice Sumanth to transfer the case to a different judge.

Accepting the request by the advocate, Justice Anitha Sumanth agreed to request the Chief Justice to allocate a new judge for the case.

Karti Chidambaram and his wife Srinidhi had earlier moved the Madras High Court in a tax evasion case after their discharge petition in the case was rejected by a special court in Chennai. The couple submitted that the transaction pertains to the period when Karti was not a member of Parliament and the trial should not be conducted under the special court set up to complete trial in cases registered against MLAs/MPs.

As per the compliant filed by Income tax department before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court-II (Economic Offences) , Karti had received Rs 6.38 crore in cash while his wife received Rs 1.35 crore in cash for the sale of land near Muttukadu. It alleged that while Karti's mom Nalini Chidambaram received the payment in the form of cheque while their son and his wife received cash.

During a joint search conducted by officials from the IT department and Enforcement Directorate in connection with the case of Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd, on 1 December 2015, the department found several electronic materials related to the transaction.

The Income Tax has charged Karti with offences under sections 276c(1) and 277 of the IT Act.