The Delhi High Court, on the 22nd of August, allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to keep P. Chidambaram, the former Finance Minister of India, in its custody till the 26th of August.
Ajay Kumar Kuhar, a special judge of the Delhi High Court, said, “Considering all facts and circumstances, I am of the view that police custody is justified.”
The Court issued an order which read, “The allegations made against the accused are serious in nature and there cannot be any dispute with the fact that a detailed and in depth investigation is required in the present case. The enormity of money allegedly involved in this case and the persons who are accused necessitate an in depth investigation.”
The Court also asked the CBI to maintain the dignity of Mr. Chidambaram while interrogating him and fix a time for him to meet his family members.
The CBI fixed 30 minutes a day as the duration for which Chidambaram can meet his family members and lawyers every day.
The CBI, on the 21st of August, arrested Chidambaram and kept him in custody at the CBI Guest House for interrogation, in relation to the 2007 INX Media scam.
The arrest of Mr. Chidambaram, a senior most leader of the Indian National Congress (INC,) took a political face when the INC accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of misusing its power to take revenge.
The INC alleged the BJP is using the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to harass INC leaders.
On the other hand, the legal team of Chidambaram is trying to schedule an urgent hearing from the Supreme Court of the petitions filed against the Delhi High Court and demanding an anticipatory bail.
A special bench of judges, headed by R. Banumathi, is expected to hear the petition filed against the Delhi High Court, which denied Chidambaram an anticipatory bail on the 26th of August.
On the other hand, Chidambaram’s petition seeking bail will be heard on the 27th of August.
Stay tuned for further updates.
