Former Union Finance Minister and senior leader P. Chidambaram has moved the Supreme Court following the denial of anticipatory bail by the Delhi High Court. Fearing arrest in a case related to INX Media scandal that involved charges of corruption and money laundering, the senior Congress leader had filed a petition seeking anticipatory bail.
P Chidambaram moves Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court order, rejecting both his anticipatory bail pleas in connection with INX Media case. Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing him has sought an urgent listing of his matter. The matter is still pending. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/lAoLvr0XTk
— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2019
Chidambaram is being represented by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal in the matter. He has sought an urgent listing of the matter. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had also rejected a plea to protect Chidambaram from arrest to enable him to approach a higher court.
Further blow to #Chidambaram as #Delhi HC rejected his plea for an interim stay on the order. By a separate order, Justice Gaur has now shot down the plea to protect Chidambaram to enable him approach a higher court.
— Utkarsh Anand (@utkarsh_aanand) August 20, 2019
As per reports, Sibal met Registrar (Judicial) Surya Pratap Singh and explained to him the situation and what should be done. The CJI has refused urgent hearing of the case. The matter will be presented before the Supreme Court in the morning. A case was registered in this regard in 2017 against alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds of Rs. 305 crores in 2007, when Chidambaram was Finance Minister. The CBI and ED had both opposed the bail plea.
Both Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram are accused in the INX Media scam which involves charges of bribery and lobbying in granting foreign investments worth over Rs 300 crores to INX Media.