New Delhi:Former finance minister P Chidambaram, in his latest affidavit in ED case against him, on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the investigating agencies may use some 'coercive methods' to elicit a response from him.
The rejoinder affidavit by the former minister was filed in response to the ED's affidavit which had said that Chidambaram had been completely 'evasive and non-cooperative' during the three instances when he was called in for questioning in relation to the INX Media case and said that agency requires his custodial interrogation to unearth material based on 'cogent evidence'.
The affidavit filed by Chidambaram stated, "The contention that custodial interrogation is qualitatively different merely because the accused happens to be in custody of the CBI and such an averment suggests that some coercive methods may be used by the respondents to elicit responses."
"It is even more hazardous to allow custody since that would jeopardize the constitutional right of the accused under Article 21 of the Constitution," read the affidavit of Congress leader.
In the affidavit, Chidambaram denied ED's contention that he owns property abroad or any bank accounts overseas.
He said the allegations made by ED concerning 17 accounts and 10 properties are not true and sought direction from the Court for the ED to place on record details of the bank accounts and properties found in Chidamabaram's name.
The Supreme Court was hearing an appeal against the Delhi High Court's order dismissing anticipatory bail plea of Chidambaram in a case being probed by the ED relating to INX media case.