No bail, Chidambaram to be in CBI custody till August 26

The special CBI court in New Delhi on Thursday (August 22) sent former Union finance minister P Chidambaram to CBI custody till August 26. The probe agency had sought 5-day custody of the accused.

The order also has allowed Chidambaram to meet his family members and lawyers for 30 minutes every day. It also has been mandated to conduct a medical check-up every 48 hours.

Earlier, arguments did take place both in favour of bail and CBI custody, After hearing both sies for close to 90 minutes, The order on remand got reserved for 30 minutes.

The senior Congress leader was arrested on Wednesday (August 22) by the CBI for his alleged role in the INX Media case. The arrest preceded much drama as the former Union minister disappeared for more than 24 hours before appearing at the Congress headquarters to read out a prepared statement to the media. Thereafter, he left for his residence only to be followed by the CBI, which took him into custody.

A team of officials, armed with over 100 questions pertaining to the process of clearance, alleged meetings with INX media promoter Indrani Mukerjea, companies Chess Management and Advantage Strategic, etc., will question him over the course of his 4 day custody with the agency, sources said.

The team under Deputy SP R Parthasarthy is leading the probe in the alleged corruption in the clearance of ₹305 crore foreign investment to INX Media when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister, the officials said.

Chidambaram, 73, who spent a quiet night at the agency guest house in Suite Number 5 on the ground floor of the headquarters, was offered breakfast in the morning before questioning began at around 10.20 am, they said. It is normal for the agency to keep high security arrested accused in the guest house to ensure proper security and monitoring, they added.

The firm once promoted by Peter and Indrani Mukerjea, both in jail for murdering latter’s daughter Sheena Bora, had allegedly made payments to a firm linked to finance minister’s son Karti Chidambaram, the CBI has said in the FIR. P Chidambaram has strongly denied the allegations, saying the payments were for consultancy and his son was in no way associated with that company.

Meanwhile, Congress lashed out at the government by terming the case as based on an alleged murderer’s statement. It further alleged that the Modi government was using the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as “Revenge seeking departments.” The BJP hit back by saying that the law is equal to everyone.

Early on Thursday, P Chidambaram’s son, Karti Chidambaram, landed in New Delhi airport. While answering to the media, he said, he has come to meet his mother and follow the legal procedures. ” I am here to see my mother. I will also check what is the next step to be taken and follow all the legal procedure. This is not merely targeting of my father but the targeting of the Congress party. I will go to Jantar Mantar to protest,” Karti said, adding that he has not met Indrani Mukerjea or Peter Mukerjea all these days and the only encounter he had was during the CBI interrogation.

(With inputs from agencies)