New Delhi A Delhi High Court judge on Friday recused himself from hearing a petition filed by Congress Member of Parliament Karti Chidambaram in connection with the alleged Chinese visa scam.
Justice Girish Kathpalia withdrew from hearing Chidambaram’s plea, in which the MP has challenged corruption and criminal conspiracy charges framed against him. The case is being investigated by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“I do not think I will be able to hear this matter,” Justice Kathpalia said, directing that the case be listed before another bench for personal reasons. The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 28.
This is the third instance of a Delhi High Court judge recusing themselves from the case. Earlier, Justice Swarn Kant Sharma stepped aside on January 15, followed by Justice Anoop J. Bhambhani on January 19, both citing similar reasons.
The case relates to alleged bribery in the issuance of visas to Chinese nationals in 2011 for Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), a Punjab-based power company. At the time, Karti Chidambaram’s father, P. Chidambaram, was serving as India’s Union Home Minister.
In October 2024, the CBI filed a chargesheet accusing Karti Chidambaram and others of accepting bribes to influence the grant of visas for employees of the Chinese firm Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation (SEPCO), which had been outsourced work for the power project. The project reportedly faced delays and potential penalties.
On December 23, 2025, a lower court ordered the framing of charges against Chidambaram and six other accused, stating that there was sufficient prima facie evidence to proceed under criminal conspiracy provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 8 and 9 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which deal with bribery through personal influence over public servants.
In his petition before the High Court, the Sivaganga MP has argued that the trial court failed to properly assess documentary evidence and witness statements that, according to him, demonstrate the absence of any bribery or conspiracy. He has maintained that no illegal payments were made and that the allegations are unfounded.
The CBI registered the case in 2022 and filed the chargesheet after a two-year investigation. The matter remains under judicial consideration.