In a major setback for senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, the Special CBI court on Monday has extended the CBI remand of the former Union Minister by 4 days in connection with the INX Media case. He will be produced before the court on August 30. This development has come shortly after the Supreme Court dismissed Chidambaram's plea challenging the Delhi High Court's order which denied him anticipatory bail in connection with INX Media case. After a dramatic turn of events, Chidambaram was detained by CBI officials from his Delhi residence on August 21 and has been in the custody of the probe agency since then.

READ | Congress attacks Delhi HC in SC against Chidambaram-INX Media case

SC dismisses Chidambaram's plea

Earlier on Monday, the Supreme Court while dismissing Chidambaram's plea challenging the Delhi High Court's order which denied him anticipatory bail said that the Congress leader could move for a regular bail at an appropriate court. The apex court said that his petition against the CBI became infructuous since Chidambaram had been arrested on August 21 by the central agency. Chidambaram's counsel and Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi pleaded with the Supreme Court to reverse Chidambaram's arrest and that status quo before the arrest be restored, but the top court dismissed the plea against the CBI. The apex court said that it is inclined to dismiss Chidambaram's plea against the CBI

Congress attacks judiciary on Chidambaram

In the Supreme Court on Monday, arguing for P Chidamabaram, Congress leader and his advocate Kapil Sibal lashed out at the Delhi Court. He questioned as to why the judge hearing the case in Delhi HC waited for seven months to declare his verdict in the INX Media case. He also questioned why it took him so long to understand the gravity of the case. Significantly, Chidambaram faces a CBI and an ED case in connection with the INX media scam.

"Why did the judge wait for seven months to give his verdict? It took him seven months to understand the gravity of the offence?" said Sibal. He went on to question as to why the Delhi High Court had termed Chidambaram as the 'Kingpin' of the INX media scam. He had also alleged that he was not privy to documents shared by the ED to the Court. 

READ | ED may seek Chidambaram's custodial interrogation if SC denies relief

Chidambaram sent to CBI custody

The Congress MP was sent to CBI custody till August 26 by a special CBI Court in Delhi on August 22 in the INX Media case. The Rouse Avenue Court had allowed Chidambaram's family members and lawyers to meet him for 30 minutes a day. On August 27, Chidambaram's son Karti had met him in CBI custody. Addressing the media following his meeting with P Chidambaram, Karti had said that the former Finance Minister is in good shape. 

READ | SC dismisses Chidambaram plea against CBI, says move for regular bail

READ | Karti Chidambaram meets father in CBI custody, says he's in good shape