ED seeks judicial interrogation of P Chidambaram in INX Media case

Update at 4:00 PM

A special court in Delhi has ordered production of Congress leader P Chidambaram in the Enforcement Directorate case in conection to the INX media scam on 14th Oct at 3 PM, according to ANI.

Cracking down on former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday, has 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. 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.

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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 bail plea in INX Media case rejected by Delhi High Court

Chidambaram denied bail

Previously, on September 30, the Delhi High Court on Monday denied him bail, on grounds of the CBI's arguments. The High Court highlighted the probe agency's argument that Chidambaram might influence the investigation if he is out of jail. Chidambaram's lawyer Kapil Sibal stated that there were no allegations against the former Union Minister in the case and that he was not named in the FIR. He went on to state that Chidambaram had been only called in once for interrogation in 2018 before his anticipatory bail was dismissed. The Delhi High Court had dismissed his bail plea on August 20 calling him the "kingpin" in the INX Media case.

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. 

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