The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed the anticipatory bail pleas of former finance minister P Chidambaram in both the cases filed by CBI and ED related to INX media scam.
“Both applications (seeking anticipatory bail) are dismissed,” Justice Sunil Gaur of the high court said. After that senior advocate Dayan Krishnan urged the court that at least two-three days more protection be given to his client, which was declined.
Based on the FIR, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case against him.
After the Delhi HC rejected his pleas, Chidambaram moved to the Supreme Court challenging its order. Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing him has sought an urgent listing of his matter. The matter is still pending.
Chidambaram’s son Karti Chidambaram has also been named in the two cases. He was arrested on February 28, 2018 by the CBI and was later released on bail. The ED had attached properties belonging to him.
In 2007, the CBI had registered an FIR alleging irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX media to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister.
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On July 4, a Delhi court had allowed Indrani Mukerjea, the former head of the INX Media, to turn an approver in the CBI case.
The agency had submitted that it has come across evidence in the form of conversations which only Indrani Mukerjea is privy to and will help consolidate the case.
(With ANI inputs)