The Enforcement Directorate summoned former Union Minister P. Chidambaram’s wife Nalini Chidambaram, on Monday, in connection with Saradha Chit Fund scam. According to the reports, Nalini has been asked to present before ED Kolkata office on May 7. The multi-crore-rupee chit fund scam allegedly has the connection of several key leaders.
Justice S M Subramaniam denied Nalini’s contention that women cannot be called for investigation out of their place of residence under CrPC Sec 160, saying such exemptions are not mandatory and are subject to facts and circumstances of a case.
“This court is of the opinion that based on gender, an exemption cannot be sought for in a routine manner,” he said in a 145-page order on Nalini’s petition and that of the Enforcement Directorate seeking to vacate a stay granted by the court earlier.
The ED had issued the summons on September 7, 2016, asking Nalini, a senior lawyer, to appear in its Kolkata office as a witness in the Saradha chit fund scam. She was allegedly paid a legal fee of Rs 1 crore by the Saradha group for her appearances in court and the Company Law Board over a television channel purchase deal.
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On Saturday, a five-member inquiry commission headed by former Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Shyamal Kumar Sen began probing the Saradha Group chit fund scam. The commission announced by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will submit its report within six months.
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