Chinese visa case: Delhi HC seeks CBI's response to Karti Chidambaram's plea against framing of charges

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the response of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to a plea filed by Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Karti Chidambaram challenging a trial court order that framed charges against him in the alleged Chinese Visa scam case. .Justice Manoj Jain passed the order issuing notice to the CBI. The Court today also sought the CBI's response to a plea to stay the trial against Chidambaram. It, however, refused to stay the trial right away."Primarily, I am of the view that if you are assailing the charges, then we should not be staying. Let us not derail the trial. You have to first make out a case. It can't be the other way round. We can’t do anything. Honestly speaking, this can't be stayed," the Court stated.The matter is listed next on February 12..The Chinese visa scam case involves allegations that Karti Chidambaram used his influence to get visas for 250 Chinese nationals so that they could work at a power company in India, after accepting a ₹50 lakh bribe. The investigation was conducted by the CBI, which claimed that Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL) paid the bribe amount to Bell Tools Limited (BTL), which in turn relayed the money to one, S Bhaskararaman. Bhaskararaman is stated to be Chidambaram's aide.However, the Congress leader claimed that nothing incriminating was found during the search proceedings against him. .In December 2025, a Delhi court framed criminal charges against Karthi Chidambaram and six others. The charges include those for criminal conspiracy and bribing a public servant. The trial court had found that the material on record established a strong suspicion against Chidambaram. Therefore, it rejected his plea for discharge from the case."Prima facie, sufficient material exists to frame charges against A-2 [Chidambaram] for Criminal conspiracy, under Section 120B IPC, read with Section 204 IPC and Sections 8 & 9 of the PC Act, 1988. Substantive offences under Sections 8 & 9 (in alternative) of the PC Act, 1988, read with Section 120B IPC," the trial court said.This has been challenged by Chidambaram before the High Court.Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra appeared on behalf of Chidambaram today. He submitted that the essential ingredients of the offences cited against his client - namely Sections 8 and 9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) and Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have not been made out against Chidambaram. "The case against me is that I have bribed a public servant - but there is no public servant. Their entire case hinges on alleged approver's statements The allegations are that there is a Bhaskar Raman, who was a conduit who reached out to me and facilitated visa renewal. No money was paid to me. The only material they have against me is that Bhaskar Raman sent an email to me and there is a 'read receipt.' I have not even responded to it," he stated. .Senior Advocate Luthra added that the trial court's order is grossly wrong. "The trial court says I am framing a charge. It says that this is a sessions trial, which is completely grossly wrong. It is a warrant trial," he submitted. .[Read live coverage].Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.