Nalini Chidambaram

Advocate

Indian Chennai

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Quick Info

ProfessionAdvocate
NationalityIndian
BirthplaceChennai
Date of Birth16/09/1945
Age81 years

Latest News about Nalini Chidambaram

25/07/2025

A PMLA court in Kolkata dismissed the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering charges against Nalini Chidambaram in the Saradha chit fund case. The court found no prima facie case against her, which led to rejection of the agency's complaint tied to the alleged role she played as a consultant in the matter.

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Bio/Wiki

Famous ForBeing a senior advocate of the Madras High Court and wife of former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram
Legal ExpertiseConstitutional, criminal, and taxation law

Physical Stats & More

Height165 cm
Weight65 kg
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

School
  • Vidyodaya School, Chennai
  • Stella Maris College, Chennai
College/University
  • The University of Madras, Chennai
  • Madras Law College (now Dr Ambedkar Government Law College), Chennai
Qualifications
  • B.Sc in Mathematics from the University of Madras, Chennai
  • Bachelor of Laws from Madras Law College, Chennai

Personal Life

ReligionHinduism
CasteKongu Vellalar (Vellalar Community)
Food HabitVegetarian
Address16, Pycrofts Garden Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Affairs/BoyfriendsP. Chidambaram
Marriage Date11 December 1968
SpouseP. Chidambaram

Family

HusbandP. Chidambaram
ChildrenKarti Chidambaram
Parents
FatherP.S. Kailasam (former Chief Justice of the Madras High Court)
MotherSoundara Kailasam (Tamil Poet and Orator)
Siblings
  • Sadayavel Kailasam (Orthopaedic Surgeon)
  • Vimala Ramalingam (Elder
  • Paediatrician)
  • Padmini Sivasubramanian (Younger
  • Agriculturist)

Career

Controversies
  • Appointment as senior legal counsel to CBDT
  • Involvement in Sharda Chit Fund Scam
  • Income Tax Department charge-sheet against undisclosed overseas assets
  • CBI charge sheet in Sharda Chit Fund Scam
  • July 1992: Alleged involvement in share market scam; reportedly invested in shares of a company involved in the scam, leading to P. Chidambaram's resignation as Minister of State for Commerce
  • 2005: Appointed as senior legal counsel to Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT); faced parliamentary objections due to conflict of interest as the position fell under P. Chidambaram's ministry
  • 21 September 2014: Named in Sharda Chit Fund Scam for receiving 1.40 Crores INR as legal fees from Sharda Group; CBI examined the transaction
  • 11 May 2018: Income Tax Department filed charge-sheet under Black Money Act for not disclosing overseas assets including UK property worth 5.37 Crores INR
  • 11 January 2019: CBI filed charge sheet in Sharda Chit Fund Scam; ED summoned her for alleged acceptance of 1.40 Crores INR bribe from Sharda Group
  • 2024: ED named her in Saradha case chargesheet after 11-year delay, citing her role as consultant; court questioned the delay and evidence; ED had issued provisional attachment order worth 6 Crores INR against her assets
  • 25 July 2025: PMLA court in Kolkata dismissed ED's money laundering charges against her in the Saradha case, ruling no prima facie case existed
Bar Admission1968
Senior Advocate Title1990
Practice CourtsMadras High Court and Supreme Court of India
Current RoleLegal advisor at East India Company Acquisition Corp
Specializations
  • Constitutional law
  • Criminal law
  • Taxation law
  • Administrative law
  • Corporate law
AwardsGR8! Women's Achiever Award in Law by Indian Television Academy (2009)

Style Quotient

Car CollectionToyota Innova (2012 Model)
Assets/Properties
Cash1.24 Lacs INR
Bank Deposits85 Lacs INR
Jewellery1437 gms Gold worth 39.17 Lacs INR, 52 kgs Silver worth 20.46 Lacs INR, Diamonds of 76.61 carats worth 22.98 Lacs INR
Agricultural Land
Karnataka2 Crores INR
Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu
  • 14 Lacs INR
  • 21.45 Lacs INR
Commercial Building45 Lacs INR
Residential Building
Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu4.04 Crores INR
Jor Bagh, New Delhi16.05 Crores INR

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Nalini Chidambaram is married to the former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.
2. Her father, P.S. Kailasam, served as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.
3. Nalini Chidambaram was the first woman to attain the title of 'Senior Advocate' at The Madras Bar Association.
4. She and P. Chidambaram first met during their time at the Law Faculty of the University of Madras.
5. Despite facing initial hurdles in her legal career, Nalini Chidambaram persevered and achieved success.
6. Nalini Chidambaram finds fulfillment in advocacy and opted to pursue a career as a lawyer instead of becoming a judge.
7. Although she has a keen interest in politics, Nalini Chidambaram has no desire to actively participate in political activities.
8. Her legal journey began in 1968.
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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