Nalini Chidambaram, a prominent figure in Indian legal circles, is a highly accomplished senior advocate known for her expertise and impactful career. This comprehensive biography delves into her life, career, and notable achievements.
Wiki/Biography
Born in 1946 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Nalini Chidambaram celebrated her 73rd birthday in 2019. She received her early education at Chennai’s Vidyodaya School and Stella Maris College, subsequently earning a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Madras University. Influenced by her father, a Madras High Court judge, she pursued a law degree from Madras Law College.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5’5″
- Weight (approx.): 65 kg
- Eye Colour: Black
- Hair Colour: Black
Family, Caste, and Husband
Nalini Chidambaram hails from a Hindu Kongu Vellalar family. Her father, P.S. Kailasam, was a retired Supreme Court Judge, and her mother, Soundara Kailasam, was a renowned Tamil poet and orator. She has two sisters – Vimala Ramalingam (a pediatrician) and Padmini Sivasubramanian (an agriculturist) – and a brother, Sadayavel Kailasam, an orthopedic surgeon. Her marriage to P. Chidambaram, a former Finance Minister of India, was a matter of some controversy due to their differing castes, leading them to elope and marry on December 11, 1968. They have one son, Karti Chidambaram.
Career
Initially facing difficulties securing mentorship due to gender bias, Nalini, along with her husband, eventually gained training under Dr. K.K. Venugopal. While her early career was challenging, balancing her marriage and the birth of her son, she persevered to become a highly successful lawyer. A significant milestone was achieved in 1990 when she became the first woman designated as a Senior Lawyer in the Madras Bar Association. She now practices in both the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court of India, specializing in income tax and finance-related cases, preferring writ petitions to civil matters.
Controversies
Nalini Chidambaram’s career has not been without controversy. A 1992 investment in a company implicated in a share market scam drew criticism. Later, her appointment as senior legal counsel to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in 2005 sparked debate regarding potential conflicts of interest due to her husband’s ministerial role. Further, she faced investigations related to the Sharda Chit Fund scam (2014) and a charge sheet under the Black Money Act (2018) concerning undisclosed UK property.
Address
16, Pycrofts Garden Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Car Collection
Nalini Chidambaram owns a Toyota Innova (2012 model).
Assets/Properties
Below is a table summarizing her reported assets and properties:
| Asset Type | Value (approx. INR) |
|---|---|
| Cash | 1.24 Lacs |
| Bank Deposits | 85 Lacs |
| Jewellery (Gold, Silver, Diamonds) | 82.61 Lacs |
| Agricultural Land (Karnataka) | 2 Crores |
| Agricultural Land (Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu) | 35.45 Lacs |
| Commercial Building (Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu) | 45 Lacs |
| Residential Building (Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu) | 4.04 Crores |
| Residential Building (Jor Bagh, New Delhi) | 16.05 Crores |
Facts
Nalini Chidambaram’s mother’s passing in 2010 was widely mourned, with prominent Tamil Nadu leaders attending the funeral. While she appreciates politics, she prefers to remain outside active politics, having declined judicial appointments to maintain her freedom of political expression. Her enjoyment of argumentation led her to choose the legal profession over a judgeship.
