New Delhi: A special CBI court at Delhi's Rouse Avenue Complex on Wednesday extended the judicial custody of former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram till December 11 in INX Media money laundering case which is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Chidambaram was presented before the court at the end of his judicial custody today. He was arrested by the ED on October 16 and subsequently sent to judicial custody by the court in Tihar jail till November 27.
The High Court had, on November 15, dismissed his bail plea and observed that prima facie allegations against him were serious in nature and he played an "active and key role" in the offence. Thereafter, he approached the Supreme Court challenging the order.
'As if I am some Ramga-Billa': Sibal on behalf of Chidambaram
Senior Advocate, Kapil Sibal appearing for Chidamabaram said it has been 99 days since the Congress leader is in jail, however, not one email, SMS, nor document has been found in connection to Chidamabaram's involvement.
Sibal also said that holding the bail is sending a wrong message to the country.
Launching a scathing attack on Delhi HC, Sibal argued on behalf of Chidambaram saying, "As if I am some Ranga-Billa, denying bail will send a wrong signal across the country."
Ranga and Billa were two Mumbai criminals who were in Delhi after being released from Arthur Road Jail. The two criminals were involved in the kidnapping and torturing two young teenagers in 1978.
Senior Advocate Abhishek Singhvi also appearing for Chidamabaram questioned whether the Congress leader would stay in jail until the gravity of the offence is decided.
The Chidambaram case pertains to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX Media to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during the tenure of P Chidambaram as the finance minister.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered a corruption case in this regard in May 2017. Later that year, the ED also lodged a money laundering case.
The Congress leader was first arrested by the CBI on August 21 in the INX Media corruption case but was granted bail by the Supreme Court two months later.
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