Chidambaram's family members directed to appear in court on Aug 20 in black money case

A court here today directed former Union finance minister P Chidambaram's family members to appear before it on August 20 in connection with a black money case.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate S Malarvizhi ordered the personal appearance of Chidambaram's wife Nalini, son Karti and his wife Srinidhi on August 20 as they failed to present themselves in court today as per an earlier direction.

The magistrate has asked them to appear before the court next month without fail.

According to the Income Tax Department, Karti had not disclosed his bank account in Metro Bank, the UK, and investments he had made in Nano Holdings LLC, USA.

The department said Karti had failed to disclose investments made by Chess Global Advisory, a company co-owned by him, which is an offence under the Black Money Act.

It also said the trio had not disclosed Rs 5.37 crore worth of property they jointly own in Cambridge in the UK and Rs 3.28 crore worth of properties in the US.

The department initiated prosecution against them under Section 50 of the Black Money (undisclosed foreign income and assets) and Imposition of Tax Act.

Earlier, the magistrate had summoned the family of Chidambaram under section 50 of the Act and directed them to appear before the court on June 25.

Chidambaram and his family members appeared before the court on June 25 and filed a petition seeking to dispense them from personal appearance.