'There Was One More MP': CBI Cites Vijay Mallya To Oppose Karti Chidambaram's Travel Plea

Last Updated:July 25, 2025, 18:41 IST

CBI said that the agency has genuine concerns, which is why it prefers that Chidambaram seek permission each time he wants to travel

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi. (PTI photo)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday opposed Congress MP Karti Chidambaram’s request to ease his bail conditions to allow foreign travel, citing the example of Vijay Mallya.

The case was heard by Justice Ravinder Dudeja of the Delhi High Court. Representing the CBI, Special Counsel Anup S. Sharma referred to Mallya without naming him directly.

“There was one more MP, from Kingfisher. He is today in the UK," Sharma said, warning that easing travel restrictions could pose risks.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Chidambaram, argued that the Congress MP is not a flight risk. “He is an MP, he is not going to be an MP of the UK. Even today, he is attending Parliament," Luthra said, asking the court to allow more flexibility for Chidambaram to travel abroad, Bar and Bench reported.

In response to Sharma’s concerns, the court asked, “If one person has run away, do you think everybody will run away?" Sharma replied that the agency has genuine concerns, which is why it prefers that Chidambaram seek permission each time he wants to travel.

Following the submissions, the court agreed to advance the hearing date to 10 September, instead of the earlier scheduled date of 16 October.

The case relates to the INX Media scandal, in which the CBI alleges that in 2007, when P. Chidambaram was the Finance Minister, INX Media received irregular approval for foreign funding worth Rs 305 crore. Karti Chidambaram was arrested in the case and later granted bail in March 2018, with conditions including a ban on international travel without court approval.

In his application, Chidambaram said he frequently travels abroad and has always followed court rules. He asked for permission to travel without restrictions to countries like the UK, USA, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, which he visits often.

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