New Delhi, August 7, 2025 

In a relief to Congress MP Karti P. Chidambaram, the Supreme Court of India has directed the release of ₹1 crore that he had deposited with the Court in 2022 as a precondition for foreign travel, while facing investigations in a money laundering case.

 

The amount had been deposited as part of the bail conditions in ongoing probes involving allegations linked to the INX Media and Aircel-Maxis cases. The apex court, upon verifying that Chidambaram had complied with all conditions set by the Court during his travel—including returning within the permitted timeframe and surrendering his passport—allowed the refund of the entire sum along with interest.

 

A three-judge bench led by Justice Surya Kant, and comprising Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and N. Kotiswar Singh, heard the matter. The Court allowed the miscellaneous application filed by Chidambaram, observing that since the terms of his travel were duly followed, there was no justification to withhold the money further.

 

“The amount of ₹1 crore deposited by the applicant shall be refunded, along with accrued interest, within one week,” the bench ordered.

 

• In May 2022, Chidambaram had approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to travel abroad for official engagements.

• The Court granted conditional permission, requiring him to deposit ₹1 crore with the Secretary General of the Court, and to surrender his passport upon return.

• The permission was granted amid ongoing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).

• After successfully complying with all directives, Chidambaram later moved the Court to seek a refund of the amount.

 

This decision is a strong reaffirmation that financial conditions imposed for interim relief or travel permission must not turn punitive, and that compliance should lead to restitution. The Court’s timely acknowledgment ensures that bail and related procedural mechanisms remain balanced and fair.

 

This also sets a reference point for other individuals under investigation, who are granted similar relief under stringent conditions. It reminds enforcement agencies and courts alike that once legal obligations are fulfilled, pending amounts or securities must be returned without delay.