by Theleaders-Online | August 27, 2019 2:06 am
Former finance minister P Chidambaram’s luck did not back him yesterday. Chidambaram, who is currently under CBI and ED probe for money laundering in connection with INX Media case, faced two setbacks at two different courts today.
At one hand, the Supreme Court dismissed his petition seeking quashing of the Delhi high court’s decision to revoke his anticipatory bail in the CBI case, on the other hand, a special court extended his CBI remand.
Chidambaram did score a win too. The SC did extend his protection from arrest by the ED till Aug 27 in the same case, but since he will remain in the CBI custody Aug 30, the order does not give any freedom to the former finance minister.
Setback no 1: Special court extends Chidambaram’s CBI custody
The biggest setback in the day for former UPA minister was an extension of his CBI remand. A special court allowed the CBI to interrogate Chidambaram in custody for four more days. He will be produced in the special CBI court on Aug 30 next.
The probe agency, which sought five-day custody, argued that it requires additional days as “certain evidence” had emerged and that the Congress leader’s confrontation with a co-accused during interrogation was incomplete.
CBI said it needed to confront Chidambaram with certain e-mails and to unearth larger conspiracy in the corruption case in the INX Media scam.
Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar said the CBI demand was “justified” for further interrogating the Congress leader in its custody and granted four days extension.
Setback no 2: SC refuses to entertain Chidambaram’s plea against Delhi HC decision
Chidamabaram, who fought a multi-court battle yesterday, faced a setback in the apex court as well as a bench comprising justices R Banumathi and AS Bopanna refused to entertain his petition challenging Delhi High Court’s dismissal of his anticipatory bail plea in a corruption case lodged by the CBI in the INX Media scam.
The apex court said since Chidambaram has been arrested and is already in the CBI custody, his appeal in the case has become infructuous.
The bench said however that Chidambaram is at liberty to seek a remedy in accordance with the law.
The former minister had moved the SC immediately after the Delhi HC order, seeking protection from the arrest. However, the case was posted for Aug26 and he was arrested before the hearing.
Two loses, one win
While the Chidambaram defence team faced two setbacks in a day, they did manage to get an extension on the protection from arrest given to former finance minister in the same case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate.
The SC extended the protection from arrest to Chidambaram by ED till Aug 27. But it means little to the Congress leader’s freedom as he will remain in the CBI custody till Aug 30.
What’s next
CBI interrogation: CBI plans to grill Chidambaram about the new email evidence that has allegedly surfaced. The probe agency also plans to confront Chidambaram with three alleged co-conspirators during the interrogation.
SC case: Chidambaram’s legal counsels will continue to fight battles in the apex court as the SC will continue hearing the former FM’s plea challenging the Delhi High Court order which had rejected his anticipatory bail in the money laundering case filed by the ED.
The Supreme Court will also hear Chidambaram’s plea challenging the Aug 22 order of the trial court remanding him to CBI’s custody till Aug 26 in the INX Media corruption case.
The CBI had registered a 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.
India Today
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