Karti Chidambaram

CHENNAI: The Madras HC has granted anticipatory bail to Karti Chidambaram , son of former Union minister P Chidambaram , hours after the Income Tax Department issued a warrant against him under the Black Money Act. Justice AD Jagadish Chandira granted the relief after a brief late night hearing around 11.30pm on Saturday at his residence.

The case pertains to three summons issued by the deputy director of I-T investigation wing under the Black Money Act directing appearance of Karti in connection with an inquiry into the alleged non-disclosure of overseas assets.

As Karti failed to appear, the officer issued a warrant under powers vested under the Black Money Act directing police to secure his presence before the investigation officer concerned.

Karti , who was prepared to leave for London, immediately approached Chief Justice Indira Banerjee at her official residence through his counsels — senior advocates ARL Sundaresh and Satish Parasaran — around 11pm on Saturday.

After the Chief Justice instructed them to move an application for advance bail before the portfolio judge concerned, the lawyers approached Justice AD Jagadish Chandira around 11.30pm. Counsel for I-T, AP Srinivas, was also informed about the bail application.

When the plea was taken up for hearing at Justice Chandira’s residence, Srinivas submitted that the petitioner had already secured permission from the SC to travel abroad through an order.

“If he gives an undertaking that he would appear before the I-T officer concerned after his return on a particular day, the department is ready to keep the warrant in abeyance,” Srinivas said.

Karti filed a written undertaking to appear in person before the I-T officer concerned on June 28.

