SC grants bail to P. Chidambaram in INX Media case filed by CBI
Setting aside the Delhi High Court order, the Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to former finance minister P. Chidambaram in the INX Media corruption case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The apex court order comes 61 days after Chidambaram’s arrest.
The three-judge bench, headed by Justice R Bhanumati, set aside the 30 September order of the Delhi High Court which refused to grant bail to the Congress leader in the case.
The bench clarified that the Supreme Court order would not have any bearing on the money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for which Chidambaram is currently in custody. This means that the Congress leader cannot be released unless he is granted bail in the case filed by the ED.
The apex court also said Chidambaram would not be allowed to leave the country without the permission of the trial court. He has to participate in the investigation as and when called by the CBI.
The bail was granted after he furnishing a bond of ₹1 lakh. Chidambaram had challenged the high court order that had dismissed his bail plea in the money laundering and corruption case related to the matter. The high court had said Chidambaram was not a flight risk but can possibly influence witnesses.
