P Chidambaram denied anticipatory bail by Delhi HC in INX Media scam

Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has been denied anticipatory bail petition by the Delhi High Court in connection with the money laundering and corruption in relation to INX Media scandal. He has moved the Supreme Court against this order for an urgent hearing to seek protection from arrest.

Delhi High Court Justice Sunil Gaur who delivered the judgement on 20 August 2019 dismissed both the petitions (in CBI and ED case).

Chidambaram's lawyer Kapil Sibal requested the Apex Court to put up the matter before the Chief Justice as soon as possible.

Chidambaram’s role had come under the scanner of various investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving Rs.305 crore. It was during his tenure as the Union Finance Minister in the UPA-I government that clearances from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) were given to the two ventures.

Chidambaram has been questioned several times in the case in which his son, Karti, has been alleged to have received kickbacks. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered an FIR alleging irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX Media to the tune of Rs. 305 crore in 2007.

According to Chidambaram’s petition although no summons had been served on him by the ED in this case, he had an apprehension of arrest in view of the summons issued to him by the CBI.