ED gets judicial interrogation of Chidambaram, likely arrest tomorrow

In a setback to former Union Minister P Chidambaram, the Supreme Court on Tuesday, allowed Enforcement Directorate (ED) to do judicial interrogation of Chidambaram in Tihar Jail on Wednesday, according to sources. Sources have reported that the Court is yet to take a call on allowing ED to arrest the former Finance Minister. Sources report that Kapil Sibal representing Chidambaram - who was produced in Court on Tuesday, raised objections to the judicial interrogation. Sibal reportedly called it violative of the dignity of the accused and process.

READ | ED seeks judicial interrogation of P Chidambaram in INX Media case

ED to arrest Chidambaram

Sources also report that the ED will arrest the former Union Minister after interrogating him in Tihar Jail. Chidambaram is currently in judicial custody in the CBI case of INX media. His custody had been extended until October 17 in the INX Media case by a Delhi Court on October 3. Earlier on Friday, ED had moved the Special CBI Court seeking judicial custody in connection to the INX Media case. Sources report that the agency has stated that the interrogation of the former Union Minister needs to be conducted on shell companies and foreign bank accounts.

READ | Aircel-Maxis: Notice to Chidambarams as ED opposes anticipatory bail

Chidambaram's judicial custody extended

Earlier last week, the Chidambaram was produced before a Delhi Court after the expiry of his judicial custody. The senior Congress leader, lodged in Tihar jail was produced before Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar. The former Finance Minister had moved the Supreme Court seeking bail. According to reports, Chidambaram's Supreme Court bail plea was extended on health grounds, saying that the former Home Minister has lost 4 kgs as he is not accustomed to the jail food.

READ | Chidambaram's judicial custody extended till Oct 17 in INX media case

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 plea seeking to surrender to the ED in the money laundering case of INX Media. Both agencies are still probing Chidambaram in the case. 

READ | Chidambaram's bail plea in INX Media case rejected by Delhi High Court