P Chidambaram Case: The Enforcement Directorate has accused P Chidambaram of money-laundering.
Former Union Minister P Chidambaram has been taken to Delhi's Tihar jail after a special CBI court ordered him to judicial custody. Mr Chidambaram, 74, will be in jail till September 19, the court said, accepting the CBI's argument that he should be sent to judicial custody.
The Supreme Court today refused to grant protection to Congress leader P Chidambaram over corruption allegations in the INX Media case, saying that the investigating agency, Enforcement Directorate, has to be given sufficient freedom to conduct its probe, and the grant of anticipatory bail at this stage would hamper investigation. P Chidambaram now faces arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.
"Anticipatory bail has to be exercised sparingly in cases of economic offences. Considering the facts and circumstances, this is not a fit case to grant anticipatory bail," the Supreme Court said, in a huge blow to Mr Chidambaram, who has spent 15 days in CBI custody.
Here are the LIVE updates on P Chidambaram's cases:
P Chidambaram has reached Tihar Jail
The official Twitter handle of the Congress, while sharing a report on P Chidambaram, says: "Those with the power of truth have the strength to fight any injustice."
I am only worried about the economy, says P Chidambaram.
Application for surrender in Enforcement Directorate case to be taken up on September 12
P Chidambaram withdraws his interim bail plea as he has been sent to judicial custody. Special CBI court to hear P Chidambaram's application for surrender in Enforcement Directorate case on September 12.
Judicial Custody for P Chidambaram till September 19
Special CBI Court grants Judicial Custody to Congress leader P Chidambaram till September 19.
P Chidambaram's lawyer Kapil Sibal moves application for medicines, spectacles and a western toilet facility.
Mr Sibal moves another application for a separate cell and adequate security.
Judge allows all the requests of P Chidambaram.
Kapil Sibal moves an application for surrender in Enforcement Directorate case. Tushar Mehta opposes this application.
Special CBI court issues notice to Enforcement Directorate on P Chidambaram's plea for surrender.
No questioning of influence by me: P Chidambaram
"Letters Rogatories (LRs) were sent in July 2018. I wasn't arrested then. How can I be accused of influencing those LRs? LRs go to that country's probe agency, no questioning of influence by me," says P Chidambaram, through his lawyer Kapil Sibal, in court.
Economic offence cases affect the economy: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for the Enforcement Directorate, tells court: "The Supreme Court accepting my argument that there is a chance of tampering the evidence in this case has rejected their application for anticipatory bail. I can prove that there is a strong chance of tampering with the evidence in this case."
Letters Rogatories (LRs) have been sent to five countries and the response is awaited, he adds. "LRs have been sent to get details from the foreign banks. Those banks can still deny the information based on the individual's instance. These tax haven banks are easily amenable. I am not saying those sovereign countries can be influenced but these banks are," Mr Mehta says.
These economic offence cases affect the economy of the country, says Tushar Mehta.
Willing to go to Enforcement Directorate custody: P Chidamabram
Kapil Sibal, appearing for P Chidamabram, says Mr Chidambaram is willing to go to Enforcement Directorate custody if they want but why to judicial custody?
Either he surrenders, let Enforcement Directorate take custody, adds Mr Sibal. "I don't have a problem. I should not be sent to Judicial Custody," says Mr Chidambaram through his lawyer Kapil Sibal.
"If Enforcement Directorate wants to arrest him, let them... we don't have a problem but CBI has to prove the ground for judicial custody," says Kapil Sibal.
Anticipatory bail for P Chidambaram, son in Aircel Maxis case
Special Court Judge OP Saini allows the anticipatory bail plea of P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in Aircel Maxis case.
The Chidambarams have come under the scanner of investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal, which involves a clearance of $800 million foreign investment granted to the company in 2006 allegedly in exchange of kickbacks. While the approval was expected to come from a committee headed by the Prime Minister, it came illegally from the finance ministry, the CBI said.
P Chidambaram is already in CBI custody in connection with INX media case.
Not a fit case to grant anticipatory bail: Top Court
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court had extended Mr Chidambaram's CBI custody for two days after his lawyer said the 74-year-old leader should not be sent to Tihar jail, where arrested persons are taken when they do not get bail after police custody expires. Mr Chidambaram's petition challenging a non-bailable warrant against him and his request for pre-arrest bail in the Aircel-Maxis case will also come up during the day.
P Chidambaram allowed to withdraw plea
Supreme Court allows P Chidambaram to withdraw his plea challenging CBI arrest in INX Media case.
P Chidambaram withdraws his plea against non-bailable warrant, remand orders of trial court in INX Media corruption case lodged by CBI. "We have decided to unconditionally withdraw petition," Mr Chidambaram's counsel AM Singhvi tells the top court.
Top Court Rejects P Chidambaram's Pre-Arrest Bail Request
Congress leader P Chidambaram faces arrest by the Enforcement Directorate over corruption allegations in the INX Media case after the Supreme Court refused to grant him protection today.
The CBI accuses P Chidambaram of misusing his position as Finance Minister of the country in 2007 while facilitating a huge infusion of foreign funds in INX Media at the instance of his son Karti Chidambaram.
The Enforcement Directorate has accused Congress leader P Chidambaram of money-laundering in the case involving INX Media, which is being investigated by the CBI.