Saradha scam: Nalini Chidambaram examined by CBI

Nalini Chidambaram, wife of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, has been examined by CBI in connection with the alleged multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam.

CBI examined Nalini, a Supreme Court lawyer, on Saturday evening in Chennai in connection with the legal fee paid to her by the Saradha group, official sources said.

The sources said Saradha Chairman Sudipta Sen, at present in jail, had mentioned about hiring Nalini as a lawyer at the request of Manoranjana Sinh, estranged wife of Congress leader Mantang Sinh.

Sen, who had written a letter to CBI last year, had claimed that Rs 1 crore had been paid to the lawyer as her legal fee by the Saradha group.

Nalini represented Manoranjana and, therefore, was asked to offer her professional advice in her negotiations with Sen in connection with plans by the group to acquire a TV channel in the northeast. The lawyer is believed to have advised her client against the Rs 42-crore investment by the group to acquire the TV channel.

Nalini has not responded to calls and messages for her reaction.

Nalini's team, however, denied that she was questioned by CBI. They claimed that CBI only obtained a 70-page report prepared by her in connection with the plans for the TV channel acquisition.

"The near Rs 1 crore fee was for one year's assistance. It was transparent and nominal," sources close to Nalini said.