While sources have said to Republic Media Network that former finance minister P Chidambaram is on the run, Republic has compiled the last two pictures of the leader before he went missing. As the Delhi High Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, and ED, CBI arrived at his residence, sources informed that he was not present there. Though he spent an hour at Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi's residence earlier, he was not present at his residence when the ED and the CBI teams went there, reportedly for his arrest for custodial questioning, if need be.
Here are his pictures when he was last seen in the day:
READ: BIG | Chidambaram denied bail by Delhi High Court in INX Media Case
Arguing at the Delhi High Court, the ED and the CBI said that that custodial interrogation was required in the INX Media case. The submission was made before Justice Sunil Gaur who was hearing Chidambaram's plea seeking anticipatory bail in the corruption and money laundering cases relating to the INX Media scandal. The High Court reserved its order and said that the interim protection from arrest granted to Chidambaram will continue till the decision is passed on his plea for anticipatory bail. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing CBI and ED, contended that the Congress leader was evasive during interrogation and was giving long answers. He added that Chidambaram was not disclosing the material ought to be in his knowledge and the agencies required his custodial interrogation which will be qualitatively different.
READ: P Chidambaram's plea rejected, custodial interrogation a possibility
Delhi High Court rejected anticipatory bail plea of Chidambaram
On Tuesday, Chidambaram has been denied bail by the Delhi High Court in the INX Media Case. The senior Congress leader had approached the Court with an anticipatory bail application in the corruption and money laundering case. During arguments, both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate had opposed Chidambaram's plea on the ground that his custodial interrogation was required as he was evasive during questioning.
READ: Chidambaram escape plan? 'He's on the run', say sources
Both the probe agencies had contended that during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister, FIPB clearance was granted to the media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs. 305 crore in 2007. The high court had on July 25, 2018, granted interim protection from arrest to P Chidambaram in both the cases and it was extended from time to time. The senior Congress leader's role had come under the scanner of various investigating agencies in the Rs. 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving Rs. 305 crore.
READ: After being denied bail, CBI at P Chidambaram's house in New Delhi
It was during his tenure as finance minister in the UPA-I government that clearances from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) were given to the two ventures.
READ: Chidambaram on the run? ED reaches his residence
