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Indian court allows former minister’s son to travel to UK     

INDIA'S top court has allowed Karti Chidambaram, son of former Indian finance minister P Chidambaram, to travel to the UK and France.

The Supreme Court on Friday (14) allowed Karti who is facing criminal cases and being probed by the federal investigation agencies - Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).


He is expected to visit the UK and France this month to attend a tennis tournament.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde permitted Karti to travel abroad from February 14 to 28, subject to compliance of conditions imposed earlier.

The apex court had earlier allowed Karti permission to travel abroad after depositing Rs 100 million with the secretary general of the Supreme Court.

The top court had also asked him to file an undertaking that he would return and cooperate with the investigation.

One of the cases faced by Karti relates to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance to INX Media for receiving foreign funds of Rs 3.05 billion when his father was the finance minister.

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London tourist levy

The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024

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London to introduce tourist levy that could raise £240 million a year

Kumail Jaffer

Highlights

  • Government expected to give London powers to bring in a tourist levy on overnight stays.
  • GLA study says a £1 fee could raise £91m, a 5 per cent charge could generate £240m annually.
  • Research suggests London would not see a major fall in visitor numbers if levy introduced.
The mayor of London has welcomed reports that he will soon be allowed to introduce a tourist levy on overnight visitors, with new analysis outlining how a charge could work in the capital.
Early estimates suggest a London levy could raise as much as £240 m every year. The capital recorded 89 m overnight stays in 2024.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give Sadiq Khan and other English city leaders the power to impose such a levy through the upcoming English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. London currently cannot set its own tourist tax, making England the only G7 nation where national government blocks local authorities from doing so.

A spokesperson for the mayor said City Hall supported the idea in principle, adding “The Mayor has been clear that a modest tourist levy, similar to other international cities, would boost our economy, deliver growth and help cement London’s reputation as a global tourism and business destination.”

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