After meeting Sonia Gandhi, Chidambaram exudes happiness on 'breathing the air of freedom'

After meeting party president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday night, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram stated that he was breathing “air of freedom” after 106 days. He expressed his happiness on Supreme Court granting him bail. Chidambaram was released from Tihar jail in evening. Hundreds of Congress workers along with his son and Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram welcomed him outside jail.  

Read: Rahul Gandhi 'confident' In First Response To P Chidambaram Getting Bail In INX Media Case

P Chidambaram remarked, “I am happy that Supreme Court has passed an order granting bail and I am happy that I have stepped out and am breathing air of freedom after 106 days.” 

Read: Even As SC Grants Bail To P Chidambaram, Here Are Its Dos & Don'ts For Him

SC imposes restrictions

SC's bail order pertains to Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) INX Media case. SC set aside Delhi High Court order of vember 15 that had dismissed senior Congress leader’s bail plea. However, apex court has listed some conditions to be followed by Chidambaram when he is out on bail. For instance, Chidambaram was asked to deposit a bail bond of Rs. 2,00,000 to be released. Moreover, he cant leave country without permission of court. He has t only been asked to make himself available for investigation whenever required but also has been directed t to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses. Ar significant restriction imposed by SC is that senior Congress leader cant give any interviews or public statements regarding INX Media case.  

Read: Abhishek Singhvi On Chidambaram's Bail: 'SC Has Taken Balanced View'

genesis of INX Media case

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to INX Media for foreign funds of Rs.305 crore during Congress leader P Chidambaram’s tenure as Finance Minister. According to CBI,  Mukerjea couple, who were owners and founders of INX Media had swung a deal in ir favour to secure FIPB clearance. Indrani turned approver in case and gave a confessional statement to a magistrate under Section 164 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Indrani Mukerjea has alleged that money had exchanged hands, benefiting one of Karti Chidambaram’s companies in lieu of FIPB approval. ED too lodged a money laundering case in this regard. 

(With PTI inputs)  

Read: As SC Grants Bail To Chidambaram, Karti Heaves Sigh Of Relief