Court denies ED’s plea for one more day of Chidambaram’s custody, sends him back to Tihar
Chidambaram was first sent to ED custody from October 17 to 24, and then till October 30.
Appearing for the Congress leader, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said despite having his client’s custody for two weeks, the ED had not confronted Chidambaram with a single witness. “I have nothing to say. I’ll accept whatever it is,” he added.
Special judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar said, "The perusal of the case diary from October 25 to 29 would show that the accused has been confronted with some documents and emails."
It noted the submission of solicitor general Tushar Mehta that some more documents remained to be shown to the accused. The court said the exercise could be carried out while Chidambaram was in judicial custody. “As far as confrontation of the accused with records is concerned, if there is a need, it can be done even when the accused is in judicial custody," the judge said.
“Thus, having considered the facts and circumstances of the case, the accused is remanded in judicial custody till November 13,” Kuhar said.
Mehta, who appeared along with special prosecutor N K Matta, sought extension of remand by a day. He said summonses were issued to co-conspirators and witnesses to confront them with Chidambaram but they did not respond.
The Tihar Jail authority was directed to provide Chidambaram adequate security besides allowing his medicines. In addition to being provided with a a western toilet and medical attention, the former finance minister has been permitted to eat home-cooked food.
He had on the last occasion sought two days of bail to travel to a medical facility at Hyderabad.
The ED has alleged that INX Media had got approval for bringing in FDI of Rs 4.26 crore only but received Rs 403.07 crore and also made downstream investment in INX News without FIPB approval.
"Accused Chidambaram was finance minister at the relevant time and regularised the illegality committed by INX Media by way of downstream investment and getting FDI much beyond what was approved," the ED has claimed. Kickbacks allegedly received by entities connected with Chidambaram’s son Karti in lieu of the alleged approval became the subject matter of ED's money laundering case.
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References
- ^ Tihar Jail (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ money laundering (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ Kapil Sibal (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
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