Chidambaram to turn 74 in Tihar Jail with judicial custody till Sep 19

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram who has been lodged in Jail No.7 in Tihar Jail on Thursday will spend his 74th birthday in the cell as his judicial custody will last till September 19. The former Union Minister will turn 74 on September 16. Earlier on Thursday, the Rouse Avenue Court sent Chidambaram to 14-days judicial custody in connection with the INX Media case filed by the CBI. The Supreme Court had denied pre-arrest bail to Chidambaram in the same case.

Chidambaram's demands in Jail

Meanwhile, Chidambaram had called to be kept in the same jail cell where his son Karti was kept with adequate security. His lawyers had additionally demanded for a seperate cell with a cot and a bathroom, along with a western toilet. The court has allowed the Congress leader's plea for the additional amenities. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that adequate security would be given to the ex-Home Minister.

READ | P Chidambaram sent to judicial custody at Tihar Jail in INX Media case

Chidambaram ready to surrender to ED

Chidambaram's lawyers have also moved an application in Court stating that the former Finance Minister wants to surrender to the Enforcement Directorate in the INX Media case. Responding to the application, the Court has issued a notice to the ED, seeking their reply. Next hearing on P Chidambaram's surrender plea will take place on September 12. Chidambaram was arrested on August 22 from his Delhi residence by the CBI in connection with INX Media case.

READ | Chidambaram in Tihar: Here's a list of his demands during his custody

Chidambaram's Airtel-Maxis case

But additional trouble haunted Chidambaram on Friday when the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI were set to move Delhi High Court against the trial court order in the Aircel Maxis case. P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram were both were granted bail by the district judge OP Saini in the case. The agencies are saying that their questioning is crucial for the case. They also said that the witness could be influenced and evidence are likely to be tampered if P Chidambaram and Karti are released.

READ | Aircel Maxis case: ED, CBI to move HC against bail to Chidambarams

Chidambarams get bail in Aircel Maxis case

A Delhi court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti in Aircel Maxis cases filed by CBI and ED. It said that the charges against them were not of grave magnitude as the alleged money laundered is a "paltry amount" of Rs 1.13 crore compared to the money purportedly received by accused already discharged in the cases. The court however directed the Chidambarams to join the probe in the cases lodged by the two agencies. It also said that in the event of arrest, they be released on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and one surety of like amount.

READ | Like father like son; the Chidambarams made similar demands in Tihar

(With ANI and PTI inputs)