In a first since arrest, P Chidambaram gets Bail from Supreme Court

P Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI in INX Media case shortly after his anticipatory bail was rejected by the Delhi High Court

Delhi| On Tuesday, the Supreme Court granted bail to former Union Minister P Chidambaram in the INX Media case registered by the CBI. The decision of the Delhi High Court denying Chidambaram bail has thus been set aside. The Supreme Court has also held that the findings of the High Court are not to have a bearing on the proceedings in the case.

Chidambaram is to be released forthwith, provided he is not required in custody in any other case. Chidambaram is currently under the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a separate case registered by the agency pertaining to the INX Media case.

The judgment was rendered by the Bench of Justices R Banumathi, AS Bopanna, and Hrishikesh Roy in a petition filed by the former Union Minister seeking bail in the case filed by the CBI against him.

Also Read: Delhi HC rejects former FM P Chidambaram’s anticipatory bail

Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI on August 21 shortly after his anticipatory bail was rejected by the Delhi High Court and before the appeal against the same could be taken up by the Supreme Court. After being remanded to police custody, the Senior Congress leader was subsequently sent to Tihar Jail under judicial custody.

In the meantime, a bail plea was moved before the Special CBI Judge sitting at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court Complex. This plea was rejected, leading to an appeal before the Delhi High Court.

While pronouncing the judgment, the Delhi High Court observed that Chidambaram was neither a flight risk nor could he tamper with any evidence. However, his bail plea was rejected on the ground that there was a possibility that he could influence witnesses in the case.