The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday carried out searches on the Chennai premises of a company belonging to the former Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram’s son Karti Chidambaram in continuation of the operation against two firms owned by his associates on allegations of foreign exchange violations.
Accusing the BJP government of harassing his son, Mr. Chidambaram said he still believed that the departments he had left behind had many officers who would act according to law and their conscience.
Recalling the statement issued by Mr. Karti about the visit of officials of the investigating agencies to his office, Mr. Chidambaram said, “As can be expected, nothing was found in the fishing and roving inquiry.”
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“I would like to see how far the foolish government goes in harassing him,” Mr. Chidambaram added.
Mr. Karti said there was no basis for the ED to have visited his office or to make any enquiries. “I was informed that they are investigating three firms and two of them belong to my friends. They are owned by professionals and managed by competent Board of Directors. I am not aware of the third firm,” Mr. Karti said.
He also made it clear neither he nor any member of his family was shareholder or director of these firms. “We do not have any economic interest in these firms,” he added.
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Mr. Karti, who is also a member of the AICC, said the two firms belonged to his friends would answer questions put to them and clear allegations made against them.
“Nothing relating to these firms was found in my office and nothing relating to these firms was taken from my office,” he stressed.