Chidambaram denied bail in ED's INX media case by Delhi HC; to remain in Tihar till Nov 27

In yet another setback for former Union Minister P Chidambaram, the Delhi High Court, on Friday, has denied bail to him in the Enforcement directorate's case against him in the INX Media scam. While the court has maintained that Chidambaram was not a flight risk and may not tamper witnesse it stated that the allegations of shell companies presented by the ED were serious in nature. Since ED has alleged that Chidambaram has played a key role in the case, the court has denied him bail.

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Delhi HC denies bail

The court observed that the material in the ED case is completely different from the material collected by the CBI. It also stated that the ED had brought up several shell companies are being owned and controlled by people close to the petitioner and his family members. Meanwhile, co-conspirators Karti Chidamabaram and his CA S Bhaskaraman are out on regular bail.

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Judicial custody extended

Earlier on Wednesday, a Delhi court extended the judicial custody of former finance minister P Chidambaram in the ED's INX media case, till November 27. The ED had sought extension in the judicial custody and also opposed his bail plea citing gravity of offences. His judicial custody in the ED case was expiring on Wednesday after being extended till November 13 on October 30. Chidamabaram has been lodged in Tihar Jail since September 5.

READ | P Chidambaram's judicial custody extended till Nov 27 by Delhi court

ED opposes Chidambaram bail plea

The 74-year old former Finance Minister who was granted bail by the Supreme Court on October 22 in the INX media corruption case, is lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody in the ED's money laundering case. On November 3, the HC while disposing of the interim bail plea of Chidambaram, who was suffering from Crohn's disease, had directed the Tihar Jail Superintendent to provide him clean and hygienic surroundings and also mineral water, home-cooked food and mosquito protection nets and repellants.  On October 18, the CBI had filed a charge sheet in the INX Media scam in a Special court in Delhi, naming both the Chidambarams. 

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INX Media case and Chidambaram

The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to the INX Media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during Chidambaram's tenure as the Finance Minister. Thereafter, the Enforcement Directorate had lodged a money laundering case in this regard in 2017. Chidambaram was first arrested by the CBI in connection with the INX Media case on August 22 from his New Delhi residence. He is currently been held in judicial custody in Tihar Jail after a Delhi Court dismissed his bail in the money laundering case of INX Media. Both agencies are still probing Chidambaram in the case.