INX media case: HC seeks ED response on Chidambaram's bail plea

Delhi High Court Thursday sought response of Enforcement Directorate on a bail plea of senior Congress leer and former Union finance minister P Chidambaram in INX media money-laundering case. Justice Suresh Kait issued a tice to ED on bail application and asked ncy to file its reply within a week.  court fixed matter for furr hearing on vember 4.

Chidambaram, 74, who was granted bail by Supreme Court on Tuesday in INX media corruption case filed by CBI, is under ED's custody that ends on Thursday.Central government's standing counsel Amit Mahajan, representing ED, sought time to file response to bail plea.

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Chidambaram's bail plea

Senior vocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Chidambaram, said Congress leer has alrey stayed in ED's custody for seven days.ED h earlier called Chidambaram for questioning four times and after being arrested by CBI in corruption case when he approached court to surrender in money laundering case, probe ncy refused to take his custody, he said.

Singhvi ded that when 60 day period of custody in CBI case was approaching and Chidambaram would have been entitled for bail, ED arrested him and took him into custody. He referred to Supreme Court's October 22 order granting bail to Chidambaram in CBI case and said that it has stated re was evidence of tampering, flight risk and influencing witnesses against Chidambaram in corruption case. He was arrested by CBI on August 21 in INX Media corruption case.

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Case against Chidambaram

case was registered on May 15, 2017 alleging irregularities in a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to INX Media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007, during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister.  CBI on October 18 filed its charge sheet naming Chidambaram and several ors as accused in INX media corruption case. trial court took cognisance of charge sheet on October 21 and subsequently, on October 22, apex court granted him regular bail in matter.

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Chidambaram denies charges

Chidambaram has also contended in his application that both CBI and ED case arise out of same financial transaction and refore, re cant be separate remand for both.  application contends that since all evidence in case is documentary and is in custody of investigating ncies, he cant tamper with it.  plea furr claims that Chidambaram was always available for questioning by ED and h appeared before ncy and answered all questions on all four dates he was summoned, last being February 8.

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He has furr said that attempt was me by ED to question him, till October 16, while he was lodged in Tihar Jail since September 5. On October 16, ED interrogated Chidambaram in Tihar Jail and n formally arrested him "for specious reason of being evasive" during questioning, plea claimed.  application has also contended that Chidambaram's health condition is "fragile" as he is 74-years-old and suffers from various ailments, including coronary artery disease.