The former Finance Minister and Congress leader was finally denied anticipatory bail in relation to INX Media Case by the Delhi High Court on 20th August, 2019.
The Single Judge Bench of Justice Sunil Gaur pronouncing the order reportedly observed that “facts of the case prima facie reveal that” he is the “kingpin that is the key conspirator in the case”, and he was evasive in replies to probe agencies when he was under protective cover given by the court.
Calling it a “classic case of money laundering“, the court stated “magnitude and enormity” of material produced by the investigating agencies “dis-entitles him from any pre-arrest bail“.
According to a report by Bar and Bench, the court said that “(It is) preposterous to say prosecution of the petitioner (P Chidambaram) is baseless, politically motivated and act of vendetta.” It further added, “It cannot be forgotten that the petitioner was the Finance Minister at the relevant time and he had given FDI clearances to INX Media group for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 Crore…Simply because he is a Member of Parliament, it would not justify grant of pre arrest bail to him.”
“This is an economic offence and has to be dealt with iron hands… The hands of investigating agencies cannot be tied up in such a massive economic offence,” court added to the strongly worded order.
Both Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have accused P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram of receiving illegal kickbacks from INX Media owners, Peter and Indrani Mukherjea for the clearance.