INX media case: No immediate relief to Chidambaram; Supreme Court refers the case to CJI Gogoi

P Chidambaram in his petition to the Supreme Court said that he has cooperated with the agency for investigation and there is no possibility of his escape.

New Delhi| Troubles of the former Union Minister P Chidambaram are far from over in the INX media case. The Supreme Court has not given Chidambaram any immediate relief. Chidambaram had filed a petition in the Apex Court seeking interim protection. On Tuesday, Delhi High Court denied him protection from arrest calling him ‘kingpin’ of the scam. A ‘Special Leave Petition’ was filed before Justice NV Ramana and a hearing was sought. But Justice Ramna sent the petition to the CJI instead. He said that CJI Ranjan Gogoi will decide when the petition will be heard.

Also Read: INX Media case: P Chidambaram goes incommunicado as CBI, ED team visit his home

Currently, CJI Gogoi is hearing Ayodhya case. Justice Ramana asked the petitioner to wait till lunch hours get over. The registry will refer the case to the CJI. Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who was present in the courtroom said that he has appeared as a caveator. “This is a case of huge money laundering. The court should see the record,” Mehta said.

Senior Congress leaders and advocates Salman Khurshid, Vivek Tankha and Kapil Sibal were present in the courtroom.

Senior lawyers Kapil Sibal, Salman Khurshid and Vivek Tankha are inside the courtroom. #PChidambaram https://t.co/I2fYsq8gx2

— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2019

Chidambaram’s Petition says he has cooperated with CBI:

P Chidambaram in his petition to the Supreme Court said that he has cooperated with the agency for investigation and there is no possibility of his escape as he is a Rajya Sabha member. The petition said, “Chidambaram was called by the CBI only once on 6 June 2018 and he was also present. There is no need to interrogate him in the custody. He should be protected under interim in the interest of justice.”