The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against its October 23 order that granted bail to senior Congress leader P Chidambaram in the INX media case. The agency claims in the petition that Chidambaram is influencing witnesses in the case and hence his bail should be cancelled.

The Supreme Court  had on Tuesday set aside a Delhi High Court order and granted bail to  Chidambaram, 61 days after he was arrested from his home in Jor Bagh, New Delhi. The HC had on 30 September denied bail to the Congress leader on the grounds that he can influence witnesses.

The three-judge bench of the apex court on Tuesday had clarified that its order will not have any bearing on the money laundering case filed by the enforcement directorate (ED). Chidambaram is currently in ED custody.

 

Chidambaram had challenged the high court order dismissing his bail plea in the money laundering and corruption case.

While the CBI opposed his bail plea citing flight risk, tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses, the high court had said Chidambaram was not a flight risk nor could he tamper the evidence since the documents pertaining to this case were with the investigating agency and the court.

The CBI, on 15 May 2017, had registered an FIR against Chidambaram for alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance provided to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when he was the Union finance minister. The money laundering case by ED dates back to 2018. Chidambaram was arrested on August 21.

—India Legal Bureau