Chidambaram's judicial custody extended till December 11; bail hearing adjourned
A Delhi court on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of Congress leader P Chidambaram till December 11 in the INX Media corruption case. The 74-year-old leader is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged money laundering. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of Chidambaram's bail plea in the corruption case. Here are more details.
According to ANI, a special CBI court at Delhi's Rouse Avenue complex extended Chidambaram's judicial custody till December 11. Chidambaram was produced before CBI Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar after his judicial custody ended today. The former Union Finance Minister was arrested by the ED on October 17 and was to remain in the agency's custody till November 27.
Notably, Chidambaram had approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Delhi High Court's order rejecting his bail plea on November 15. On Tuesday, the ED filed a counter-affidavit claiming Chidambaram used the "influential office" of the Finance Minister for "personal gains." The ED also challenged his bail plea, alleging he is capable of destroying evidence and influencing witnesses.
An SC bench headed by Justice R Banumathi adjourned the hearing, after the arguments of Chidambaram's counsel. Appearing for Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal argued today that the Delhi HC had rejected the ED's arguments that the Congress leader was a flight risk, along with allegations of evidence tampering and influencing witnesses. Yet, the bail was denied. Sibal argued that allegations against Chidambaram aren't yet established.
Counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued on Chidambaram's behalf: "Punishment begins after conviction...Here, I've been in jail for 100 days." Singhvi also argued against Delhi HC denying him bail with respect to the "gravity" of offense. The ED will make its submissions on Thursday.
Chidambaram has been in Tihar jail since September 5 following his August 21 arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which also probed the INX Media case. On October 22, he was granted bail by the SC in the CBI case. However, Chidambaram was arrested by the ED on October 16. He will now remain in judicial custody till December 11.
Chidambaram stands accused of corruption and money laundering while serving as the Union Finance Minister. He allegedly facilitated an influx of illicit foreign direct investments (FDIs) amounting to Rs. 305 crore into the INX Media group, which was co-founded by Indrani Mukerjea and Peter Mukerjea in 2007. Meanwhile, his son Karti allegedly received kickbacks for the same.
