Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram was arrested in the INX Media case on Wednesday night.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who is arguing for CBI in the INX Media case has moved an application in court seeking 5-day custody of former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who was produced before a Delhi court on Thursday.
Mehta argued that all the materials related to the case are with the former Finance Minister who was "evasive" and "non-cooperative".
He said that the case, which is a classic example of money laundering, is in the pre-charge sheet stage. The CBI counsel said in court that Chidambaram's arrest was made on the basis of a non-bailable warrant obtained on the application moved by CBI.
The former Home Minister P Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI from his Delhi residence on Wednesday night following an hour-long drama.
P Chidambaram arrested in INX Media case: Former Union Minister produced before special CBI court, Live updates
Family and counsel of Chidambaram at liberty to meet him for half an hour daily, the court said. The court asked the CBI to ensure that the personal dignity of the accused (Chidambara) is not violated.
He will next be produced before the court on August 26 after medical examination
Special CBI Court sends former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram to CBI custody till August 26. Court says family members and lawyers are permitted to meet him for 30 minutes a day
Please look at the questions and answers, there are no questions which I have not answered, please read the transcript. They asked if I have bank account abroad, I said no, they asked if my son has an account abroad I said yes: Chidambaram
17:02 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
After hearing all the arguments, the CBI court has reserved its order on an application of CBI seeking 5-day remand of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram in INX media case. The verdict will be announced shortly.
16:53 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
When P Chidambaram said in court he wants to speak, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta objected and said he is being represented here by two senior advocates. However, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said there is Delhi HC Judgement that allows the accused to make a representation on his behalf.
16:51 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
Meanwhile, the former Home Minister P Chidambaram has requested to speak for a minute in the court but his request was opposed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. Hearing continues.
16:46 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
"They (investigating agencies) haven't called P Chidambaram even once for questioning in the past 10-12 months. Indrani Mukerjea is a fresh reason. This reason is created so that this can be said that now CBI needs him again. An approver is a status but not the proof," said Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
"The whole approach is wrong. When they say that he is evasive, means that he is not answering the way they want him to answer," Singhvi added.
16:35 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
"Non-cooperation is if the probe agency calls me five times and I don’t go, non-cooperation is not giving the answer they like to hear. They called P Chidambaram once, and he went. Where is non-cooperation?" said Abhishek Manu Singhvi in the court.
16:30 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
Senior Congress leader and lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is also representing P Chidambaram, in the CBI court said, "CBI’s entire case is based on Indrani Mukherjea's evidence and a case diary."
16:20 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
Kapil Sibal further said in the CBI court, "This is the case which has nothing to do with evidence but with something else. If a Judge has taken seven months to deliver the judgement (Delhi HC judgment rejecting anticipatory bail of Chidambaram) then is that the protected umbrella Chidambaram got? We are aggrieved."
16:15 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
"Last night CBI said that they wanted to interrogate Chidambaram, they didn't start the interrogation till 12 noon and asked him only 12 questions. By now they should know what questions to ask. The questions had nothing to do with Chidambaram," Kapil Sibal in the CBI court.
16:05 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
Kapil Sibal arguing for P Chidambaram in Court has said that the accused in this case is Karti Chidambaram who was granted regular bail by the Delhi High Court in March 2018, challenges in Supreme Court not interfered. Other accused also got bail. Peter and Indrani Mukerjea are on default bail.
"Investigation complete as draft chargesheet is ready. The sanction was sought. Foreign Investment Promotion Board approval is given by six government secretarys, but none have been arrested. This is a case of documentary evidence. He (Chidambaram) has never skipped interrogation," Kapil Sibal said in the court.
"This case is of 2007-2008. The FIR was filed in 2017. Chidambaram was interrogated only for one day. If he did not respond to the CBI's call then they could have called again, but they didn't," Kapil Sibal said while arguing on behalf of Chidambaram.
15:57 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta arguing for CBI in Court has said that they have moved an application seeking 5-day custody of P Chidambaram. On an application of the CBI a non-bailable warrant was also issued and on the basis of that, the arrest was made.
"Right to silence is a constitutional right and I have no issue, but Chidambaram has been non-cooperative, he was evasive to questioning. This is a classic case of money laundering. We are at the pre-chargesheet stage, the material is with him, he (Chidambaram) has remained non-cooperative," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in the court.
Tushar Mehta also said that mere his (Chidambaram) appearance becomes just a formality until accused is under a protective cover.
15:42 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
CBI lawyer Tushar Mehta has sought 5-day custody of P Chidambaram. CBI's lawyer has also said that public servants were influenced in the case and an undue advantage was also given to Chidambaram. He also informed that a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) was also issued by the court pursuant to Chidambaram arrest.
15:21 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
P Chidambaram has reached special CBI court at Delhi's Rouse Avenue. There are at least 70-80 people including officials and over 100 police officers who are present inside the court. SG Tushar Mehta will represent the investigating agencies in the CBI court.
After reaching the court, P Chidambaram met his wife Nalini and son Karti Chidambaram.
14:58 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
CBI officials along with P Chidambaram leave for the special court to Delhi's Rouse Avenue where former Union Minister will be presented shortly. CBI is likely to seek 10-15 day custody of the former Home Minister who has been arrested in the INX media case.
Delhi: P. Chidambaram being taken from CBI Office to court for hearing in INX Media Case. pic.twitter.com/YEtog1VkeI
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2019
14:42 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
P Chidambaram's wife Nalini Chidambaram, son Karti have already arrived at the special CBI court at Delhi's Rouse Avenue area where the former Union Minister, who was arrested on Wednesday night in the INX Media case, will be present shortly.
14:15 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
According to sources, P Chidambaram is not cooperating with the CBI during his interrogation. He is also not answering questions being posed by the central investigation agency. Further, CBI may bring P Chidambaram and Indrani Mukerjea face to face.
14:11 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
Ahead of P Chidambaram being produced in the special CBI court in Delhi Rouse Avenue area, his lawyers including Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Vivek Tankha have already reached the CBI court. Reports say that CBI is likely to demand at least 10-15 day custody of the former Union Minister, who was arrested from his Delhi residence on Wednesday night after an hour-long drama.
13:16 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
Former Home Minister P Chidambaram, who was arrested by CBI in the INX media case, will be produced before a special court in Delhi after 2 pm today.
12:55 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
Coming as another development in the INX media case, ED's Intelligence Officer (IO) Rakesh Ahuja has been transferred. Rakesh Ahuja has been asked to join back duty in Delhi Police. ED will now carry investigation in INX media case under new Intelligence Officer. Rakesh Ahuja has been associated with the investigation in the INX media case since its beginning.
11:08 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
CBI officials are once again questioning former Union Minister P Chidambaram. Meanwhile, CBI director along with the director of the prosecution and joint director of the economic offence are having a meet to prepare remand papers against P Chidambaram.
10:30 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
"It's a matter of great concern to us as members of the legal fraternity, also it should be a matter of concern as citizens. All we wanted was a hearing, the presiding judge chose instead to say that I am sending the file to CJI. Isn't a citizen entitled to be heard?" said Kapil Sibal, who is representing P Chidambaram in the Supreme Court.
10:17 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
The CBI has filed an FIR against P Chidambaram under IPC sections — 120b of criminal conspiracy, 420 for cheating, Prevention of Corruption Act Sec 8, 13(2), 13 (1)d.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate is also investigating the matter under Money Laundering act. According to ED officials, after CBI, it will also arrest P Chidambaram and interrogate him in the INX Media case.
09:58 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
Karti Chidambaram returns to Delhi, speaks to media on his father P Chidambaram's arrest in INX Media case:
* This is not merely targeting of my father but the targeting of Congress party. I will go to Jantar Mantar to protest.
* Absolutely, this is a political vendetta. If the ED, CBI have proofs, they should file the chargesheet.
* There has not been a single summon which has not been complied with.
09:52 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
Karti Chidambaram, son of arrested former Union Minister P Chidambaram, said, "It's a completely politically motivated witch-hunt trying to silence most vehemently critic of this government." Karti said this while speaking to media at Delhi airport when he arrived from Chennai.
Karti Chidambaram arrives at Delhi Airport from Chennai. His father P Chidambaram was arrested by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), yesterday. pic.twitter.com/QRv0CDHJst
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2019
09:12 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
"It's deeply distressing all that had to happen, there was no question of not being answerable to the law. The matter is listed on Friday, they could have waited till then to see what the Supreme Court wants to do," said Congress leader Salman Khurshid on P Chidambaram's arrest.
Salman Khurshid, Congress on P Chidambaram arrested by CBI: It's deeply distressing that all that had to happen, there was no question of not being answerable to the law. The matter is listed on Friday, they could have waited till then to see what the Supreme Court wants to do. pic.twitter.com/STAFJyFlks
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2019
09:01 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
P Chidambaram will be produced in special CBI court at Rouse Avenue in Delhi around 2 pm today. CBI is likely to demand 14 days custody of the former Union Minister. Meanwhile, Chidambaram may also file a bail plea today.
08:32 IST, Thursday, August 22, 2019
Medical tests of former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram were conducted inside the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters in Delhi.
#WATCH Delhi: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official jumps the gate of P Chidambaram's residence to get inside. CBI has issued a Look-Out Notice against him. pic.twitter.com/WonEnoAgR4
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2019
Also watch: Video of the then Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram inaugurating of the new Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters in Delhi on June 30, 2011.
#WATCH ANI file footage: The then Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram at the inauguration of the new Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters in Delhi on June 30, 2011. Chidambaram was arrested by CBI yesterday and brought to this complex. pic.twitter.com/ikuxIzaSyF
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2019
The matter was shifted to the MP-MLA court earlier this year, after his son Karti Chidambaram, who is also an accused in the case, was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP).
In 2017, 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 Finance Minister.
Based on the FIR, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case against him. Chidambaram's son Karti 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 also attached properties belonging to him.
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 Mukerjea is privy to and will help consolidate the case.
(With inputs from ANI)
1. Answered every question CBI asked: Chidambaram in court
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Rejecting CBI charge that he was not cooperating, Mr Chidambaram told the special CBI court on Thursday that he had told CBI that he has no overseas bank account while his son Karti has an account abroad.
"Please look at the questions and answers, there are no questions which I have not answered, please read the transcript. They asked if I have a bank account abroad, I said no, they asked if my son has an account abroad I said yes," said P Chidambaram in Court.
During the proceedings when Chidambaram said he wanted to speak. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for CBI, objected to his plea saying he is being represented here by two senior advocates.
Chidambaram's counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi said there is a Delhi High Court Judgement that allows the accused to make a representation on his behalf.
2. Sibal, Singhvi oppose CBI's 5-day custody demand
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Opposing CBI's plea for a five-day remand, Chidambaram's lawyers told the court that he had cooperated with the investigating agency and has never skipped interrogation.
Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Wednesday defended former Union Minister P Chidambaram saying he had appeared before the media on Wednesday even when he was not required to.
"The man was exercising his legal rights. He had no reason to address the nation in a press conference. Yet he walked in with his head held high and addressed the press conference and the media still calls him an absconder. That is very unfair and disrespectful," Singhvi told reporters before leaving for the Rouse Avenue Court.
Singhvi is also one of the counsels for Chidambaram along with Kapil Sibal said the media was unnecessarily trying to sensationalize the issue.
"The media is sensationalizing it. The man (Chidambaram) was having a legal conference with me till 7 pm yesterday evening and addressed the press conference after that," Singhvi said.
Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, his son Karti and wife Nalini were present in Delhi court where Special CBI Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar was hearing the matter.
3. P Chidambaram was arrested on Wednesday night amid high drama
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Amidst dramatic scenes, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram was arrested in the INX Media case on Wednesday night after he failed to get relief from the Supreme Court over CBI and ED's pursuit of him as the matter was not heard by the court despite repeated efforts of his lawyers.
After his arrest by the CBI from his Jor Bagh his residence, Chidambaram, 73, was taken to headquarters of the probe agency. He is likely to be produced before a CBI court at the Rouse Avenue on Thursday.
Earlier, the former Finance Minister made a dramatic appearance at the Congress headquarters here and addressed a press conference in which he rejected the charges against him and his son in the INX Media case and said "lies" were being spread by "pathological liars."
He then left for his Jor Bagh residence from the Congress office and teams of the CBI and the ED reached soon after. (Photo: PTI)
4. Medical tests of ex-Union Minister conducted at CBI headquarters
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After being arrested, medical tests of former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram were conducted inside the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters in Delhi, sources said.
Chidambaram was arrested in the INX Media case on Wednesday night after he failed to get relief from the Supreme Court over CBI and ED's pursuit of him as the matter was not heard by the court despite repeated efforts of his lawyers. (Photo: ANI)
5. Would await verdict of Supreme Court: P Chidambaram
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Making a dramatic appearance before the media at the AICC headquarters, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday said that he would await the verdict of the Supreme Court on his bail plea on Friday and respect the law even if applied "with an unequal hand by the investigating agencies."
Addressing media persons after he failed to get a hearing in the apex court, he read out from a prepared statement and rejected the charges against him and his son in the INX Media case and said that the FIR does not impute any wrongdoing by him and there was no chargesheet either by the CBI or ED before the competent authority.
The former Finance Minister expressed the hope that the investigative agencies will also respect the law.
"In the name of freedom, I can only hope and pray that investigating agencies will also respect the law in the present circumstances and await for the decision of SC on Friday," he said.
He said lies were being spread by "pathological liars". (Photo: ANI)
