SC to Madras HC: decide Karti's plea against lookout circular

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Madras High Court to decide within two months on a plea filed by Karti Chidambaram challenging a lookout circular against him and others.

A three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice Dipak Misra directed that the high court's division bench headed by chief justice should decide the writ petitions filed by Karti, son of former Union finance  minister P Chidambaram, and others against the circulars issued on June 16 and July 18, last year.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), represented by Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, submitted that the matter involved the issue of territorial jurisdiction. The high court had on August 10, 2017, stayed the circular.

The apex court had subsequently on August 14 suspended the high court's stay order.

In its order, the apex court said, "All the issues raised in these writ petitions, including the issue of territorial jurisdiction, are kept open and shall be addressed to by the high court".

The court also said if any plea for travelling abroad was made by Karti and others, it should be decided by the high court.

Karti faced CBI investigation in a case of alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when his father was the Union finance minister. The FIR in the matter was lodged on May 15, 2017.