INX Media case: Bail to Chidambaram in CBI case, but will stay in ED custody

The Supreme court on Tuesday (October 22) granted bail to former Union minister P Chidambaram in the INX Media case lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). However, the senior Congress leader cannot walk free as he is currently in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

A bench headed by Justice R Banumathi set aside the Delhi High Court’s September 30 verdict denying bail to Chidambaram in the case.

The bench, also comprising Justice AS Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy, granted bail to Chidambaram on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh with one surety of the like amount.

Also read: SC reserves verdict on Chidambaram’s plea against HC denying bail

He has been given bail on the condition that he will not leave the country without prior permission from the court and that he will have to make himself available for interrogation as and when called by the agency (CBI).

After spending more than a month in judicial custody, the 74-year-old leader was allowed by a Delhi court to be taken into ED’s custody. He was also allowed to meet his relatives for half-an-hour every day. He also has been permitted to have home-made food, a separate cell, western toilet, spectacles and medicines.

Chidambaram was arrested in connection with the graft case on August 21 by the CBI, which 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.

(With inputs from agencies)