INX Media case: SC to hear Chidambaram's plea challenging Delhi HC's order denying bail

In another development in the INX Media money laundering case, the Supreme Court on Monday has agreed to an urgent hearing of former Union Minister P Chidambaram's plea against Delhi High Court's order denying him bail.  Sources report that a bench headed by newly sworn-in Chief Justice of India (CJI) S A Bobde will hear the plea on Tuesday or Wednesday. Chidambaram was denied bail by the Delhi HC on Friday.

READ | Delhi HC mentions another case facts in Chidambaram bail order

ED seeks correction

Meanwhile, the ED has sought an urgent hearing before Delhi HC with regards to the court's order denying bail to Chidambaram. The ED had filed an application HC seeking correction of the order because it reproduced some paragraphs from a 2017 Supreme Court order rejecting bail to Delhi-based lawyer Rohit Tandon in a money-laundering case. The court had stated facts of the other case instead of the INX  media case. But the ED has sought a correction stating that the court had mentioned 'submission' in its order instead of quoting the Supreme Court's previous order.

READ | Chidambaram denied bail in ED's INX media case by Delhi HC; to remain in Tihar till Nov 27

Delhi HC denies bail

The Delhi High Court, on Friday, had denied bail to him in the Enforcement directorate's case against him in the INX Media scam. While the court has maintained that Chidambaram was not a flight risk and may not tamper witnesse it stated that the allegations of shell companies presented by the ED were serious in nature. Since ED has alleged that Chidambaram has played a key role in the case, the court has denied him bail.

WATCH | Chidambaram denied bail in INX scam; mocks EU delegation's J&K visit

ED opposes Chidambaram bail plea

The 74-year old former Finance Minister who was granted bail by the Supreme Court on October 22 in the INX media corruption case, is lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody in the ED's money laundering case. On November 3, the HC while disposing of the interim bail plea of Chidambaram, who was suffering from Crohn's disease, had directed the Tihar Jail Superintendent to provide him clean and hygienic surroundings and also mineral water, home-cooked food and mosquito protection nets and repellants.  On October 18, the CBI had filed a charge sheet in the INX Media scam in a Special court in Delhi, naming both the Chidambarams. 

READ: Chidambaram slams state of economy

INX Media case and Chidambaram

The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to the INX Media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during Chidambaram's tenure as the Finance Minister. Thereafter, the Enforcement Directorate had lodged a money laundering case in this regard in 2017. Chidambaram was first arrested by the CBI in connection with the INX Media case on August 22 from his New Delhi residence. He is currently been held in judicial custody in Tihar Jail after a Delhi Court dismissed his bail in the money laundering case of INX Media. Both agencies are still probing Chidambaram in the case.