Delhi High Court rejects anticipatory bail for P Chidambaram in INX Media case

Delhi High Court dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of
former finance minister P Chidambaram in the INX Media cases relate to the
issues of corruption and money laundering.

During the arguments, both the Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had displayed opposition to
Chidambaram's plea on the ground that his custodial interrogation was necessary
because of his evasion to the questions.

Investigative agencies emphasized that during Chidambaram's
tenure, Foreign Investment Promotion
Board clearance was granted to INX Media for receiving foreign funds to the
tune of Rs 305 crore.

Enforcement directorate made an argument that the companies in
which money was transferred are directly or indirectly controlled by
Chidambaram's son, Karti, who is also a current member of parliament from
Sivaganga constituency, and they believe that the FIPB approval was granted to
INX Media only because of the insistence from his son.

FIR was registered by the CBI in this case on May 15, 2017, alleging
irregularities in the FIPB clearance granted to the media group during
Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister. Following this, a money laundering
case was also lodged on Chidambaram in this case.