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CBI questions Chidambaram for over four hours in INX Media case (Lead)

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New Delhi, June 6 (IANS) Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram was on Wednesday questioned for over four hours by the CBI in connection with the INX Media corruption case.

After the questioning by a special CBI Economic Offences Wing team, the senior Congress leader reiterated that the FIR contains no allegations against him.

The Central Bureau of Investigation said Chidambaram appeared at its headquarters here around 11 a.m. and left around 4.50 p.m.

Chidambaram was questioned till 1.30 p.m., after which he was allowed to step out for lunch. The questioning resumed at 3.30 p.m. and continued till around 4.45 p.m.

After leaving the CBI headquarters, Chidambaram tweeted: “Appeared before the CBI. The FIR contains no allegations against me.

“Questions and answers were based on the files of FIPB. Hence, there was little to add to the record,” he said.

According to the agency officials, the former Minister was quizzed about his alleged role in the grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to INX Media in 2007.

The INX Media company was promoted by former media baron Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani Mukerjea, now in jail in connection with the murder of their daughter Sheena Bora.

A CBI official said the agency will analyse the Congress leader’s statement and, if required, he will be again asked to join the investigation.

The Congress leader was summoned by the agency officials under Section 41(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The CBI first issued the summons to Chidambaram on June 1, asking him to appear before it the next day, but he skipped questioning after the Delhi High Court on May 31 granted him interim protection against arrest till July 3 in the INX Media case.

According to the CBI officials, it has prepared a set of questions to seek clarifications from the former Minister pertaining to a money laundering case registered in 2017 against Chidambaram’s son Karti Chidambaram.

The CBI had on May 15, 2017 filed an FIR, accusing Chidambaram, Karti and others of involvement in irregularities in giving INX Media the FIPB clearance to receive Rs 305 crore in foreign investment.

The CBI had on February 28 arrested Karti, accusing him of taking money to facilitate the FIPB clearance to INX Media in 2007 when his father was the Finance Minister. Later, he got bail.

The CBI initially alleged that Karti received Rs 10 lakh as bribe for facilitating the FIPB clearance but the figure was subsequently revised to about $1 million or Rs 6.5 crore at the current exchange rate.

On Tuesday, the former Minister was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate for over five hours.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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