NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected former finance minister P Chidambaram’s bail plea in the INX media case based on the evidence provided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a sealed cover.
According to sources, the CBI said that Chidambaram approached two material witnesses and urged them not to testify against him.
Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, however, did not accept the CBI argument. He said there was no evidence that Chidambaram was a flight risk or had tampered with any evidence. However, he mentioned that the Congress leader is a member of parliament and an influential person.
“Since the investigation is an advanced stage and Chidambaram being an influential person, the possibility of him influencing witnesses could not be ruled out,” the Delhi high court noted while rejecting former finance minister Chidambaram’s bail plea.
It is alleged that Chidambaram in 2007 had committed irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to INX Media case in return for kickbacks for his son Karti Chidambaram, also an accused in the case.
He was arrested amid high drama from his Jor Bagh residence based on the statement of one of the accused-turned-approver Indrani Mukerjea.
Last week, the Centre permitted the CBI to prosecute five government officials, including former NITI Aayog CEO Sindhushree Khullar in the case.
Chidambaram, who is lodged in the Tihar Jail since September 5, is now likely to move the Supreme Court
for bail.