SC reserves verdict on P Chidambaram's bail plea in INX Media case

The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its verdict on P Chidambaram's plea against Delhi HC order denying him bail in INX Media corruption case. The CBI while arguing against the bail plea of P Chidambaram informed the Supreme Court that an offence of forgery has also been made out in the probe in INX Media corruption case. Opposing P Chidambaram's bail plea, CBI said that the country needs to go for 'zero tolerance policy' on corruption. It also said that the probe in the INX Media corruption case is going on and the response on Letters Rogatory (LRs) to Singapore and Mauritius is awaited. The CBI told SC that the country was, "...witnessing an era where persons accused of financial offences are fleeing the country; as a nation, we are facing this problem." The CBI also told the apex court that Chidambaram's 'mere presence' was enough to intimidate witnesses, he should not be given bail at least till material witnesses are examined.

READ | ED gets Chidambaram's custody till October 24 in INX Media case

CBI files chargesheet in Delhi court in INX media case, names P Chidambaram as accused

The CBI had filed a chargesheet before a Delhi court Friday in the INX Media corruption case accusing former finance minister P Chidambaram and others including bureaucrats of causing loss to the exchequer by allegedly committing offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The charge sheet filed before Special Judge Lal Singh. The accused in the charge sheet include Peter Mukherjea; chartered accountant S Bhaskaraman; ex-NITI Ayog CEO Sindhushree Khullar; former secretary in Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Anup K Pujari; Prabodh Saxena; Rabindra Prasad; INX Media; ASCL & Chess Management Services. Accused-turned approver Indrani Mukerjea's also appears in the final report.

The report was filed under various sections of the PCA and the Indian Penal Code. The matter will be taken up for consideration by Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar on October 21. The court on Thursday had sent Chidambaram to custodial interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) till October 24 in the INX Media money laundering case "to facilitate proper investigation in the case to reach a logical end". Special judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar had allowed the Enforcement Directorate to quiz Chidambaram for seven days. 

READ | CBI chargesheets both Chidambarams and others in INX Media scam

P Chidambaram & the INX Media corruption case

Chidambaram, who was also the Union home minister during the UPA rule, was arrested by the CBI on August 21 from his Jor Bagh residence. The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board 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.  Chidambaram, who was also the Union home minister during the UPA rule, was arrested by the CBI on August 21 from his Jor Bagh residence. The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board 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. 

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(With agency inputs)