New Delhi: In a major relief for Congress leader P Chidambaram, Supreme Court has granted bail to former Finance Minister in the INX Media money laundering case, registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court sets aside Delhi High Court's November 15 verdict dismissing bail plea of P Chidambaram. The former finance minister finally got bail after staying for 106 days in custody. He was in jail since his arrest in August in the INX Media case.

SC granted bail to Chidambaram on a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh with two surety of like amount. The apex court has, however, said that the Congress leader will not leave the country without prior permission of the court. SC has also restrained P Chidambaram from giving press interviews or making statements with regard to the case. "Order granting bail to P Chidambaram will not have bearing on any other accused in the case," the top court added.

In his first reaction, P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram took to Twitter and wrote, "Phew. At last after 106 days :)". While,  Congress party said, "Truth finally prevails."

The Supreme Court verdict comes against the order of the Delhi High Court that had dismissed his bail petition in the INX Media case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The verdict was pronounced by the bench of justices R Banumathi, AS Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy.

Watch | INX media case: Chidambaram gets bail from SC



Earlier on November 28, the top court had reserved the order on the petition filed by former finance minister Chidambaram, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail. A bench headed by Justice R Banumathi had reserved the order after hearing lawyers appearing for Chidambaram and the ED. "We have heard the submission of counsels, judgment reserved," the bench had said.

The apex court directed the Registry to accept three sets of sealed covers from the ED and keep them in safe custody for the perusal of the court.

The High Court had, on November 15, dismissed his bail plea and observed that prima facie allegations against him were serious in nature and he played an "active and key role" in the offense.

Chidambaram sought bail in a case pertaining to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX Media to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during his tenure as the finance minister.

CBI had registered a corruption case in this regard in May 2017. Later that year, the ED also lodged a money laundering case.

The Congress leader was first arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 21 in the INX Media corruption case but was granted bail by the Supreme Court two months later.

He was arrested by the ED in the money laundering case on October 16.

(With inputs from ANI)