New Delhi:  The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram in a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate in the INX Media scam. The apex court observing the gravity of the economic offences said that bail is the rule and jail the exception, and Chidambaram had already spent many days in custody of the ED. Following is the chronology of events in the INX Media money-laundering case in which former Union finance minister P Chidambaram was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

- May 15, 2017: CBI registers FIR in INX media case alleging irregularities in FIPB clearance to the group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007.

- Feb 16, 2018: ED lodges the money laundering case in this regard. CBI summons Chidambaram for questioning.

- May 30, 2018: Chidambaram moves Delhi High Court seeking anticipatory bail plea in the corruption case of CBI.

- Jul 23: He moves Delhi HC for anticipatory bail in the money laundering case of ED.

- Jul 25: High Court grants him interim protection from arrest in both cases.

- Jan 25, 2019: HC reserves its judgement on his anticipatory bail in both cases.

- Aug 20: HC dismisses the anticipatory bail pleas. It also declines Chidambaram's request to stay the order for three days to enable him to move an appeal in SC.

- Aug 21: Chidambaram arrested in CBI case.

- Aug 22: Chidambaram sent to four-day CBI custody, which was periodically extended till September 5.

- Sep 5: SC dismisses his plea in ED case challenging high court order denying pre-arrest bail.

-Oct 5: Delhi court allows ED to interrogate Chidambaram in Tihar Jail and arrest him, if needed.

-Oct 16: ED questions Chidambaram in Tihar and arrests him.

-Oct 17: Chidambaram sent to ED's remand till October 24.

-Oct 18: CBI files charge sheet against P Chidambaram and 13 others in INX Media case

-Oct 21: CBI court accepts agency's charge sheet and summons P Chidambaram for October 24.

-Oct 22: SC grants bail to Chidambaram in the corruption case.

-Oct 24: Delhi court sends Chidambaram to custodial interrogation by ED till Oct 30 in INX Media money-laundering case.

-Oct 25: CBI moves SC seeking review of its verdict granting bail to Chidambaram in the INX Media corruption case.

-Oct 30: Chidambaram moves Delhi HC seeking interim bail in INX Media money-laundering case on health grounds.

-Oct 30: Delhi court sends Chidambaram to judicial custody till Nov 13 in the money-laundering case.

-Nov 13: Delhi court extends judicial custody of Chidambaram till Nov 27.

-Nov 15: HC denied bail to Chidambaram in money-laundering case.

-Nov 18: Chidambaram moves SC challenging HC order dismissing his bail petition.

-Nov 21: Delhi court allows ED to quiz Chidambaram in Tihar on Nov 22, 23.

-Nov 27: Delhi court extends Chidambaram's judicial custody till Dec 11.

-Nov 28: SC reserves verdict on Chidambaram's bail plea.

-Dec 4: SC sets aside Delhi HC's November 15 verdict denying bail to Chidambaram, who has been in custody for 105 days since August 21, and granted him bail in the INX Media money-laundering case.