In a visa scam case, the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested a close friend of Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram on Wednesday. S Bhaskar Raman has been formally arrested, according to a top CBI official, after extensive questioning.
On Tuesday, the CBI filed a case against five people: Karti P Chidambaram, S Bhaskararaman, a close associate, Vikas Makharia, who is representing a Mansa (Punjab)-based private company, M/s Talwandi Sabo Power Limited, Mansa (Punjab), M/s Bell Tools Limited, Mumbai (Maharashtra), and unknown public servants and private individuals.
A private firm located in Mansa was allegedly in the midst of developing a 1980 MW thermal power plant in Mansa (Punjab), with the plant's construction being outsourced to a Chinese company.
"Furthermore, it was claimed that the project was going behind schedule. To avoid being penalised for the delay, the Mansa private company was attempting to recruit more Chinese persons/professionals for their site in District Mansa (Punjab) and required Project VISAs in excess of the Ministry of Home Affairs' ceiling "In an official statement, the investigation agency stated.