Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Hearing the INX media case, the Supreme Court granted bail to former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday.

The case was being heard by the three-judge Bench of Justice R Banumathi, Justice AS Bopanna and Justice Hrishikesh Roy. P Chidambaram is presently lodged in Tihar jail under the custody of Enforcement Directorate till October 24.

P Chidambaram had filed a Special Leave Petition in the apex court days after the High Court dismissed his bail plea on the ground that his release might influence the witnesses in the case.

The court also said the congress leader shall not leave the country without the trial court’s permission. However, the Court also observed that Chidambaram can be released provided he is not arrested in any other case on the personal bond of Rs 1 lakh.

Supreme Court also set aside the judgment of High court and said that former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram can be released on bail if he is not required in another case. The court further said that he has to make himself available for the interrogation sessions.

Previously, Enforcement Directorate arrested the former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram from Tihar Jail in Delhi. P Chidambaram was arrested on August 21 by the investigative agencies from his house in the national capital.

BACKGROUND OF INX MEDIA CASE-

In 2017, top investigative agencies of the country had filed an FIR in connection to the alleged irregularities in fund clearance to INX media house through FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board). It was alleged that the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram inappropriately cleared the fund to the tunes of Rs. 305 crore to the company.

CBI is investigating the corruption allegations against P Chidambaram while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is inquiring into money laundering allegations in the case.

By Saurabh Parmar

Digital Journalist (Specializing in Indian affairs & Contemporary Political development)

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