INX Media Case: P Chidambaram was arrested from his home last week. (File)
The Supreme Court today ordered CBI custody for former Union Minister P Chidambaram today after he told the court that he should not be sent to Delhi's Tihar Jail as he is 74 and should be protected. He should be placed under house arrest, said Kapil Sibal, representing Mr Chidambaram, who has spent 11 days in CBI custody since his arrest on August 21.
In CBI custody, Mr Chidambaram has been put up in a "suite" at the guest-house floor of the CBI headquarters in Delhi. The top court said the former Finance Minister, arrested by the CBI in a corruption case, should apply for regular bail before the competent court.
Mr Chidambaram has been accused of facilitating a huge infusion of foreign funds into the media company INX Media in 2007, when he was Finance Minister, at the instance of his son Karti Chidambaram, who allegedly received kickbacks for his role. Karti Chidambaram -- also named in the case -- is out on bail. P Chidambaram was arrested amid high drama from his home last week by CBI officials who scaled the walls of his house to get in. Since then, he has been in the agency's custody.
The CBI had said that Mr Chidambaram was being "evasive and non-cooperative" and his custody must be extended so that he can be confronted with documents and the other accused in the case.
Here are the Highlights on P Chidambaram's case:
Bail Plea Tomorrow
A lower court has granted the CBI one more day of custody and said it would decide on his interim bail plea tomorrow. Mr Chidambaram had requested interim bail at the special CBI court, where the CBI pressed for and was granted one more day of custody.
The court will decide tomorrow on whether to grant him bail.
CBI seeks one-day custody of P Chidambaram
As the Supreme Court has fixed the hearing for tomorrow, I am pressing for one day police custody for P Chidambaram, says Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI.
Kapil Sibal moves interim bail plea saying top court has directed to consider it today
CBI moves application in court seeking P Chidambaram's custody for three days.
Supreme Court to hear tomorrow P Chidambaram's plea challenging non-bailable warrant against him and remand orders of the trial court in the INX Media case.
Aircel-Maxis case: Probe agencies oppose protection from arrest to Chidambarams
CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED) accuse P Chidambaram and his son Karti in Delhi court of non-cooperation in the Aircel-Maxis probe.
The agencies have opposed anticipatory bail applications filed by P Chidambaram and his son. They have sought custodial interrogation for both.
The probe agencies say P Chidambaram and his son will hamper Aircel-Maxis probe if granted protection from arrest. "As finance minister, P Chidambaram granted approval beyond his capacity, benefitted certain persons and received kickbacks," the agencies tell court.
The Chidambarams committed serious economic offences, out of larger conspiracy against public and national interest, say probe agencies.
Chidambarams need to be dealt with "iron hand", the Aircel-Maxis probe is still going on: CBI and ED tell the court. "Chidambaram and Karti accused of money laundering, they created shell companies and committed other offences."
CBI court to consider interim bail today
The CBI court will consider P Chidambaram's interim bail today. If the interim bail is not granted, the Congress leader will be in CBI custody till Thursday.
Top Court orders 3-day CBI custody
Top Court says P Chidambram has liberty to move the concerned court seeking appropriate relief including interim bail or extension of custody. "List the case on Friday.. Trial court will consider the request today itself," says top court.
Bench orders three-day CBI custody, says the case will be taken up on Thursday.
P Chidambram will not be going to Tihar Jail as of now.
Top Court should protect P Chidambaram: Kapil Sibal
The Supreme Court must consider and protect P Chidambaram, says Congress leader and P Chidambaram's lawyer Kapil Sibal. "It is a case of 2007 and I am asking protection on whatever conditions. You can't humiliate people like this."
Top Court says Kapil Sibal can mention this to the trial court. "House arrest is only for political cases... Why can't you request the CBI court?"
P Chidambaram should not be given any protection: CBI
CBI says trial court has to decide and P Chidambaram should not be given any protection.
Let P Chidambaram apply for regular bail: Top Court
A bench of Justices R Banumathi and AS Bopanna hearing the case in Supreme Court says let P Chidambaram apply for regular bail. "Let the CBI file it's reply. P Chidambaram can move competent court for bail," the court says.
Let P Chidambaram be put under house arrest: Kapil Sibal
Congress leader and P Chidambaram's lawyer Kapil Sibal says there must be some protection given to P Chidambaram. "He is 74 years old. Let him be put under house arrest, not in Tihar jail," he says.
Hearing in P Chidambaram's case begins
Supreme Court is hearing a petition filed by P Chidambaram challenging the order of the CBI judge remanding him to police custody.
P Chidambaram was arrested amid high drama from his home last week by CBI officials who scaled the walls of his house to get in. Since then, he has been in the agency's custody. The CBI had sought Mr Chidambaram's 5-day custody on his first court appearance. It repeated the request when he was brought for the second time on Monday and once again on Friday.
P Chidambaram's CBI custody ends today