The Congress-era Finance Minister P Chidambaram is currently lodged in Tihar jail after the court sent him to 14-day judicial custody in the INX Media case on Thursday.
Contrary to the long list of demands made by the Congress’ veteran leader’s counsel, Chidambaram had to accommodate himself in the stuffy barracks at Tihar on the first night on Thursday, reports Zee News.
Though Chidambaram was provided with a bedsheet and pillow the senior Congress leader was reportedly uncomfortable throughout the first night spent in the jail as he was made to sleep on the floor like regular jail mates. The former finance minister was, however, allowed to take his medicines along with him inside the jail.
In the morning, Chidambaram was given tea and biscuits. For lunch, he would have been served chapatis, vegetables, dal and rice. Lunch timings are at 11.30 am. Between 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm, Chidambaram, like any other ordinary prisoner, will be lodged inside the cell. After 3:30 pm he would be allowed to go outside the cell and avail the library services or interact with other inmates. He will be served dinner at 6:45 while TV services are allowed till 9 pm after which he will again be sent back to his cell.
Chidambaram has been kept in 15 number cell, ward number 2 of Tihar’s Jail number 7 that houses 600-700 inmates. His son Karti Chidambaram was also lodged in the same jail earlier.
His lawyers had filed an application in the Delhi court earlier in which they had demanded certain facilities for Chidambaram. The long list of ‘VVIP’ demands had included a western toilet as Chidambaram cannot sit on the ground, according to his lawyers. Chidambaram has also sought permission to retain his spectacles. He asked for adequate security in the Jail premises since his counsel had argued that Chidambaram is a Z-category security protectee. A request for a separate cell with a cot and separate bathroom had also been made. During his stay at Tihar, a maximum of 10 people can meet him twice a week between 8 am and 1.30 pm.
The former Union Minister would have to celebrate his 74th birthday (September 16) with his jail inmates as he has been remanded in judicial custody until September 19, 2019.
Chidambaram’s counsels, in a desperate bid to save their client from going to Tihar, had moved an application in Court stating that Chidambaram wants to surrender in Enforcement Directorate case. It is pertinent to note that Chidambaram had refused it earlier.
Yesterday the Supreme Court had refused him anticipatory bail in the INX Media case.
A couple of days back the Central Bureau of Investigation had said that it no longer wants Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram’s custody and that the veteran Congressman should be sent to Tihar till September 5. Chidambaram had then pleaded that he willing to remain in the CBI custody till 5th.
Chidambaram was arrested on August 21 by the CBI after a prolonged drama where he had gone into hiding for over 24 hours after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Delhi High Court.
