Tainted ex-Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who is being probed in around 10 cases by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other agencies, literally became an embarrassment to the Supreme Court and High Court Judges who attended Thursday’s Indian Express-newspaper-convened Ramnath Goenka Lecture series. Chidambaram, who is on anticipatory bail to protection from the arrest of CBI and ED in Prevention of Corruption case was seen hopping seats, sitting with Judges. The function was organized by the Chidambaram-friendly newspaper Indian Express and Justice Ranjan Gogoi, who is expected to be the next Chief Justice of India, delivered the keynote address in the function.

We can’t expect decency on part of Chidambaram. He and his wife Nalini will go to any level by misusing their position as Senior Advocate title.

First Chidambaram was seen sitting with Justice Ranjan Gogoi and when Gogoi went on to the stage, Chidambaram was seen sitting with Justice DY Chandrachud. Chidambaram’s son Karti’s advocate in the corruption case and Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi was also seen sitting with them. Incidentally, a Bench comprising Justice Chandrachud was hearing Karti’s petition on Friday questioning the powers of Enforcement Directorate and the powers of officers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

It was Chidambaram who as Finance Minister passed the powerful PMLA Act and now he and his son were questioning the same act on the powers of the ED officers to arrest persons under PMLA!

Moreover Chidambaram’s frivolous petition claiming right to life and decency alleging witch-hunt by CBI and ED is pending before the Chief Justice Dipak Misra’s Bench, where Justice Chandrachud is often a member. The Bench also handled Karti’s several petitions to go abroad and cancellation of CBI’s Look Out Notice in Airports in connection with INX Media bribe case.

At Present Chidambaram and son Karti are on interim protections obtained from the trial court and Delhi High Court from the arrest by CBI and ED in Aircel-Maxis and INX Media cases. Chidambaram is facing probe in around 10 cases by CBI, ED and Delhi Police[1]. The CBI and ED are expected to file a charge sheet against Chidambaram in Aircel-Maxis case and INX Media case. His wife Nalini is facing CBI and ED probes in Saradha Chit Fund scam. She is also facing CBI probe in a hotel grabbing case[2].

The entire family members of Chidambaram are now facing prosecution of Income Tax under Black Money Act. Delhi Police registered FIR on the terrorist Ishrat Jehan encounter affidavit perjury case, where Chidambaram is the main culprit.

In such circumstances, Chidambaram should not embarrass the Judges by chair hopping with them. In the Indian Express organized function Supreme Court judges A K Sikri and Madan Lokur were also present. Delhi High Court Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal was also present and Chidambaram was seen hopping with them and showing his face there too. This is a clear crooked activity by Chidambaram to give messages to the investigating officers and trial court judges on his proximity with the high echelons in Indian Judiciary.

This is plain unethical from the part of Chidambaram and the organizers. The organizer Indian Express should have given a separate enclosure for judges and should have prevented the entry of persons like Chidambaram who is facing several probes. We can’t expect decency on part of Chidambaram. He and his wife Nalini will go to any level by misusing their position as Senior Advocate title. Many legal veterans say the couples are now even gate crashing into many Judges homes using their old acquaintance.

References:

[1] Now Ten cases against Chidambaram family. What is CBI, ED, CBDT & Delhi Police doing? Time for PM to intervene – Dec 11, 2017, PGurus.com

[2] CBI registers Preliminary Enquiry against Chidambaram family in hotel grabbing case – Dec 8, 2017, PGurus.com