INX Media Case: SC Grants Bail To Chidambaram In CBI Case; To Remain In Jail In ED’s Custody

INX Media Case: The bench said that Chidambaram will not leave the country without prior permission of the court.

Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram (PTI)

New Delhi: Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Tuesday, in the INX Media case which was registered by the CBI. However, this does not come as much of a relief to the Congress leader as he has to remain in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate till October 24. The apex court said in its verdict that Chidambaram can be released provided he is not arrested in any other case and on the personal bond of Rs 1 lakh. Also, the court made it clear that he has to make himself available for interrogation. It said that Chidambaram will not leave the country without prior permission of the court. A bench headed by justice R Banumathi set aside the Delhi High Court's September 30 verdict which denied bail to Chidambaram in the case. Chidambaram was arrested in connection with the graft case on August 21 by the CBI, which has recently chargesheeted him and others, including his son Karti and some bureaucrats, for causing loss to the exchequer by allegedly committing offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code. Chidambaram is presently in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the INX Media money laundering case. The CBI had registered an FIR 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 the finance minister. Thereafter, the ED lodged a money laundering case in this regard in 2017. The 74-year-old senior Congress leader approached the apex court challenging the September 30 verdict of the high court which had dismissed his bail plea in the INX Media corruption case, filed by the CBI, saying the probe was at an advanced stage and the possibility of his influencing the witnesses cannot be ruled out.