New Delhi. The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant bail to former Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the INX Media corruption case, saying that the possibility of influencing witnesses cannot be dismissed.
Justice Suresh Kait, while denying bail to the Congress leader, said he held important positions like Home Minister and Finance Minister, is currently a Member of Parliament and is a long-time advocate. Chidambaram (74) has been in custody since he was arrested by the CBI on August 21. While delivering the order on Chidambaram’s bail plea, the court also said that the CBI’s investigation is in the advanced stage.
The court decided Chidambaram’s bail plea on three grounds. It considered the subject of the person fleeing the country, tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses.
When the CBI raised the issue of the former Union minister fleeing abroad, the court said that there was no evidence that Chidambaram had ever tried to escape from India and authorities had already issued a ‘lookout circular’ against him.
To the CBI’s contention that Chidambaram can be tampered with evidence if released on bail, the court said that there is no dispute that the documents related to the case are already with the investigating agency and except They have no power to be MPs. Agreeing with the arguments of Chidambaram’s counsel on the issue, the judge said that there is no possibility of tampering with the evidence.
The CBI on Friday opposed Chidambaram’s bail plea, contending that he was feared to be leaving the country as he is accused of a serious crime and knew that he was likely to be convicted. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocate Amit Mahajan, appearing for the investigating agency, contended that Chidambaram had so much resources that he could stay in another country indefinitely and did not release him on bail till the hearing of the case was over. should go.