The Delhi High Court on Tuesday extended the the interim protection from arrest to Congress leader P Chidambaram in the INX Media case till August 1. Hearing the matter, Justice A K Pathak asked the senior Congress leader to cooperate and join in the questioning session as and when called by the CBI, after which it scheduled the next hearing as August 1.
The HIgh Court extended the interim order after Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that counter affidavit have been prepared by the CBI and the investigation team will file it during the course of the day. The ASG aslo informed that as per the affidavit, reasons have been mentioned on why Congress leader’s custodial interrogation was required in the matter.
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Former Union Minister had moved to the court seeking interim protection fearing arrest in alleged INX Media corruption case on may 31 and was granted bail till July 3. Along with this, he is also facing investigation in another case for his alleged involvement in the corruption in the Aircel-Maxis deal.
However, in his previous petition on May 31 Chidambaram had said that CBI issued him a notice on may 28 in ‘mala fide’ manner, directing him to appear before it for questioning. The Congress leader had added that though his name was not mentioned, neither in the FIR nor as suspect. Chidambaram had accused this as political vendetta against him.
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According to the reports, the case pertains to alleged financial regularities in clearances – relating to Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX Media for FDI of Rs 305 crore – during the UPA government when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister. Along with him his son, Karti Chidambaram is also an accused in the case, who was granted bail by the Delhi High Court on March 23, after being arrested by CBI on February 28.
Photo Courtesy: The Free Press Journal