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Karti Chidambaram arrested by CBI at Chennai airport, produced before magistrate at Patiala House Court

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Karti Chidambaram arrested by CBI at Chennai airport, produced before magistrate at Patiala House Court

Former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram’s Son Karti Chidambaram, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Chennai on Wednesday (February 28) morning as soon he landed at the airport from his London trip was later in the day produced before Patiala House Court duty magistrate Sumeet Anand. The court heard submissions from both parties and till time of this being published, the decision had not been given by the magistrate.

The CBI said in court that Karti was arrested for not cooperating with investigators. The agency said that there were many things which “we cannot disclose in open court.” The asked for 15 days of remand of Karti.

The counsel for the CBI said: “He was not cooperating and was frequently flying abroad.”

Senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Karti.

Singhvi said on behalf of Karti: “I have nothing to fear, I have nothing to hide and I have gone to abroad and have come back also. Don’t use power of arrest. I will surrender my passport and will take any condition and I will appear whenever  summoned. This is not a case for arrest at all. The allegation is of Rs 10 lakh. The CBI has not filed a single status report. There is no point in marking remand application without status report. I have cooperated 110 percent with the CBI and with the ED.

He continued: “The CBI is apprehensive of my frequent foreign visits. Why?  Am I a threat to flight safety? It’s a distortion of facts. I went abroad only after getting permission from the Supreme Court.

“Forget remand it is not a case of even arrest. Karti has no connection with the Advantage Strategic Consulting (P) Limited which allegedly received kickbacks,” said Singhvi. “Not a single official has been questioned over FIPB clearance to INX. I am making a verbal prayer against the CBI’s remand application. The accused is entitled to make a verbal bail application.”

The counsel continued: “My reward for complying with previous summons is my arrest just after landing here. Instead of asking for bail I am asking for no remand.”

The CBI counsel said: “Karti cooperated with agencies only after the Supreme Court’s order. Karti didn’t provide itinerary of his foreign visits. Status report hasn’t been filed because there is no such direction by any Court. He left country without complying with directions. The matter is pending before the high court.

Karti Chidambaram met a person at Mumbai Hyatt Hotel on February 17 to arrange for $ 1 million dollars also,” the CBI counsel said.

Immediate questioning

The agency officials had stared questioning him within the airport premises and then took a flight to Delhi later in the day. A case against Karti is on at the Supreme Court [this is in a related Enforcement Directorate (ED) matter] and on February 23, the court’s bench of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, and Justices Amitava Roy and D Y Chandrachud had refused to stay a summon order issued by the ED against him. The court accepted the CBI’s comment that he was “not a common criminal”.

The court had decided to hear the matter on March 6. This time was available after Karti’s counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, sought time to file a proper application to challenge the ED proceedings.

The allegation against Karti is that he issued his father’s influence in arranging a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance for INX media. The CBI had said that Karti had received Rs 10 lakh for the ‘deal’ which provided tax avoidance routes.

In Delhi Karti told the media that he had denied the money laundering charges made against him and said that this was vendetta and that “I will be vindicated.” As per the CBI, apart from the Rs 10 lakh Karti also received Rs. 3.5 crore through a company linked to him.

Political voices started chirping immediately after. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala called it a “classic diversionary tactic of the government to hide their own corrupt governance model that is being exposed on a daily basis– be it Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Dwarka Das Seth Jewellers.”

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said: “This is law, not vendetta. If corrupt are being jailed and the law is taking its own course, I see no reason why any political party should cry vendetta.”

Karti Chidambaram arrested by CBI at Chennai airport, produced before magistrate at Patiala House CourtKarti Chidambaram arrested by CBI at Chennai airport, produced before magistrate at Patiala House CourtKarti Chidambaram arrested by CBI at Chennai airport, produced before magistrate at Patiala House Court

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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