P Chidambaram’s Interim Protection from Arrest Extended: Delhi High Court

Till September 28, the Delhi High Court extended its interim protection from arrest to former Union Minister P Chidambaram in the Inx media case filed by the Enforcement Directorate.

On July 23, an anticipatory bail petition was moved by Chidambaram in the High Court. The interim protection that the court granted him was till August 1. Because of summons from the Central Bureau of Investigation, the petition stated that though the ED had not issued summons to Chidambaram in this case but he had an apprehension of arrest.

The Enforcement Directorate was told by Justice AK Pathak to file a reply within four weeks. On Wednesday, the CBI, which had earlier sought time to file a response had told the court that it has filed its reply. On September 28, the case will be next heard.

In the Rs 3,500-crore-Aircel-Maxis deal and the Rs 305-crore-INX Media case, Chidambaram’s alleged role is being scrutinized.

In May 2017, against the former finance minister’s son Karti Chidambaram, directors of INX Media Peter Mukerja and Indrani Mukerjea the ED filed a money laundering case. Karti Chidambaram’s company was accused of receiving a bribe of Rs 10 lakh to help INX media escape the consequences for taking Rs 305 crore in foreign funding in 2007, despite the fact that they had clearance from the FEPB for only Rs 4 crore.

Karti Chidambaram has completely denied any accusations made against him in the case. At that time, P Chidambaram was the Union Finance Minister.