ED to examine Chidambaram’s wife in Saradha scam probe

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Nalini Chidambaram, a Supreme Court lawyer and the wife of former finance minister P Chidamabram, for examination

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Nalini Chidambaram, a Supreme Court lawyer and the wife of former finance minister P Chidamabram, for examination in connection with the probe into the Saradha scam.

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“We have sought her appearance before investigators in connection with the legal fees paid to her by the Saradha group,” said a senior ED official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Nalini is likely to be examined in Kolkata early next month. Nalini has been given 10 days’ time to appear before the investigators. She was examined by the CBI and the ED earlier as well.

Sudipta Sen, prime accused in the case and the chairman of Saradha group, told interrogators that Nalini was hired as a lawyer on the request of Manoranjana Sinh, the estranged wife of Congress leader Mantang Sinh, as the group was planning to acquire a news channel in the north-east.

Sources said the agency wants to get information about the “transaction details” from Saradha company to Nalini’s accounts and its “purpose”.

Nalini has maintained that her dealings in the matter were above board. She had said that the money she received for legal consultation was taken through cheque and they were duly shown in the income tax returns.

(With agency inputs)