Chidambaram arrest in INX Media Case highlights: Chidambaram to be in CBI custody till August 26

P Chidambaram, arrested after a dramatic chain of events, was produced in a special CBI court on Thursday. The court sent Chidambaram in INX Media case to CBI custody till Monday.After being granted to speak, P Chidambaram asked the court to look at the questions and answers as he has not left a single question unanswered. “Please look at the questions and answers, there are no questions which I have not answered, please read the transcript.They asked, if I have bank account abroad, I said no, they asked if my son has an account abroad I said yes,” P Chidambaram told court.Chidambaram’s lawyer Kapil Sibal said in court that he has never skipped interrogation. “Investigation complete as draft chargesheet is ready. Sanction was sought. Foreign Investment Promotion Board approval is given by 6 government secretaries,none have been arrested. This is a case of documentary evidence. He (Chidambaram) has never skipped interrogation,” Sibal said in court.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta arguing for CBI in court said “right to silence is constitutional right and I have no issue, but he is non cooperative, he was evasive to questioning”, news agency ANI reported.Earlier in the day, Congress addressed the media and condemned Chidambaram’s arrest by the CBI. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that the Narendra Modi government is using CBI and ED as revenge-seeking departments and are using this case to divert attention from other issues.Highlights:

07:40 pm IST

Allegations against Chidambaram serious: Court

“Allegations against Chidambaram are serious in nature and in-depth investigation is required. Allegations of payment to Chidambaram in 2007-08 and 2008-09 are specific and categorical,” the court observed.

“Investigation needs to be brought to a logical end for which custodial interrogation is sometimes found useful and fruitful,” the court added/

6:39 pm IST

P Chidambaram to be in CBI custody till August 26

P Chidambaram, arrested in INX Media case, sent to CBI custody for 4 days.

The Court said family members and lawyers are permitted to meet P Chidambaram for 30 minutes a day, news agency ANI.

6.13 pm IST

Court to announce its order shortly.

The Court will announce its order on CBI’s application seeking five-day remand of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram in INX media case shortly.

6.02 pm IST

Supreme Court to hear Chidambaram’s plea against ED on August 27

Supreme Court to hear P Chidambaram’s petition against the Enforcement Directorate on August 27, whereas his petition against the CBI would be heard tomorrow, news agency ANI.

5.50 pm IST

Sibal and Singhvi outside CBI Court after hearing on Chidambaram

Congress lawyers Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi stand outside CBI Court after hearing on former Finance Minister P Chidambaram’s bail in INX media case.

The CBI Court has reserved its order on an application of CBI seeking 5-day remand of P Chidambaram in the case and will be announcing it shortly.

5.40 pm IST

Classic case of money laundering: Mehta earlier in his argument in court

CBI alleged non-cooperation by Chidambaram among reasons for seeking his remand.

In his argument for CBI in court, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta said that while the right to silence was a constitutional right. Chidamabaram “was non cooperative and evasive” to questioning.

“This is a classic case of money laundering,” Mehta told court.

5.25 pm IST

Harish Rawat comes inside courtroom to meet Chidambaram

Former chief minister of Uttarakhand Harish Rawat comes inside the courtroom to meet P Chidambaram.

5.06 pm IST

Court to announce order after half an hour.

The court will announce its order after half an hour.

5.01 pm IST

Court reserves its order on CBI’s application seeking five-day remand of Chidambaram

CBI Court reserves its order on an application of CBI seeking five day remand of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram in INX media case.

5:00 pm IST

Have answered all the question, read the transcript

P Chidambaram speaks in court.

“Please look at the questions and answers, there are no questions which I have not answered, please read the transcript.They asked, if I have bank account abroad, I said no, they asked if my son has an account abroad I said yes,” P Chidambaram tells court.

4.59 pm IST

We are not extorting confession but we have right to reach to the root: SG to court

“We are not extorting confession but we have right to reach to the root of the case,” SG tell court.

“It is a serious case involving intelligent people and we will fail in our duty if we don’t get to the root of the case,” SG.

4.55 pm IST

Chidambaram’s son Karti underwent custodial interrogation in the case: Mehta to court

Tushar Mehta says even Chidambaram’s son Karti underwent custodial interrogation in the case

There is a reasonable ground for Chidambaram’s custody as he was evasive in his replies, SG tells court.

Police remand can only be in special circumstances and this is also a case where there is no new development, Singhvi tells court.

4.53 pm IST

Chidambaram has potential of not cooperating since he is highly intelligent: Tushar Mehta

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said P Chidambaram has tremendous potential of not cooperating in probe since he is highly intelligent. He said even Chidambaram’s son Karti underwent custodial interrogation in the case, PTI reported.

4.49 pm IST

Chidambaram says he wants to speak in court, Solicitor General opposes

When P Chidambaram said in court he wants to speak, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta objected and said he is being represented here by two senior advocates. Abhishek Manu Singhvi said there is Delhi HC Judgement that allows the accused to make a representation on his behalf.

4.46 pm IST

Only old questions being asked after arrest: Singhvi tells court

Only old questions are being asked after arrest since last evening: Singhvi to court

Police remand can only be in special circumstances and this is also a case where there is no new development, Singhvi tells court.

4.43 pm IST

They called once, he went. Where is non cooperation?: Singhvi in court

“Non cooperation is if probe agency calls me five times and I don’t go, non cooperation is not giving the answer they like to hear.

They called P Chidambaram once, and he went. Where is non cooperation?” Senior advocate Abhishek M Singhvi asked in court.

4.40 pm IST

How can CBI seek remand on ground of evasive replies?: Singhvi to court

Singhvi opposes custodial interrogation of Chidambaram saying no allegation of tampering of evidence made by CBI.

“How can CBI seek remand on ground of evasive replies, that is not the law,” Abhishek M Singhvi asks court.

4.27 pm IST

Senior advocate Abhishek M Singhvi argues for Kapil Sibal

Senior advocate A M Singhvi joins Sibal to oppose CBI case against Chidambaram

“CBI’s entire case is based on Indrani Mukherjea’s evidence and a case diary,” Abhishek Manu Singhvi argues for Kapil Sibal.

4.23 pm IST

Grant of bail is a rule, issue before court is of personal liberty: Kapil Sibal

“CBI cannot say Chidambaram evasive in investigation. Grant of bail is a rule and the issue before court is of personal liberty.What is stated in case diary is not the truth,” Kapil Sibal tells court.

4.19 pm IST

Sibal tells court Chidambaram hasn’t slept for last 24 hours

Kapil Sibal told the court that P Chidambaram has not slept for 24 hours. “Chidambaram was arrested last night, was interrogated only at 11 am on Thursday. CBI could have written letter to him for producing documents alleged to be in his possession,” PTI quoted Sibal as saying.

4.12 pm IST

Arrested last night, but interrogated at 12 noon: Sibal in court

Kapil Sibal in Court: Last night CBI said that they wanted to interrogate Chidambaram, they didn’t start the interrogation till 12 noon and asked him only 12 questions. By now they should know what questions to ask.The questions had nothing to do with Chidambaram.

4.08 pm IST

P Chidambaram never skipped interrogation: Kapil Sibal

P Chidambaram’s lawyer Kapil Sibal said in court that he has never skipped interrogation. “Investigation complete as draft chargesheet is ready. Sanction was sought. Foreign Investment Promotion Board approval is given by 6 government secretaries,none have been arrested. This is a case of documentary evidence. He (Chidambaram) has never skipped interrogation,” ANI quoted Sibal as saying.

4:00 pm IST

Karti Chidambaram, Peter and Indrani Mukerjea also got bail: Sibal

Kapil Sibal arguing for P Chidambaram in court said that the accused in this case is Karti Chidambaram who was granted regular bail by the Delhi High Court in March 2018, challenges in Supreme Court were not interfered with. The other accused also got bail, while Peter and Indrani Mukerjea on default bail, reported news agency ANI.

3:55 pm IST

Classic case of money laundering: CBI

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta arguing for CBI in court said that this was a classic case of money laundering. We are at the pre chargesheet stage, material with him (Chidambaram), he remained non cooperative.

3:51 pm IST

Chidambaram evasive to questioning, CBI tells court

Former finance minister P Chidambaram was evasive to questioning, CBI told the special court in Delhi.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta arguing for CBI in Curt said that right to silence is constitutional right and I have no issue, but he (Chidambaram) is non cooperative and that he was evasive to questioning.

3:41 pm IST

CBI seeks 5-day remand

After three hours of questioning, CBI took senior Congress leader P Chidambaram to a special court where the agency sought five days custody of the former finance minister arrested in connection with the INX media case.

3:38 pm IST

Tight security inside court room

Amid tight security, former finance minister P Chidambaram, stood in the accused box, in a packed courtroom.

3:33 pm IST

CBI to seek 5-day remand

The CBI is expected to seek five days custody of senior Congress leader P Chidambaram.

3:31 pm IST

Solicitor General Tushar mehta reaches court

Ahead of hearing, Solicitor General Tushar mehta reached the special CBI court.

3:17 pm IST

Chidambaram reaches CBI court

Accused in the INX Media case, former Union minister P Chidambaram, has been brought to a special CBI court in Delhi.

Ahead of the hearing in court, the senior Congress leader was seen speaking to his lawyers Kabil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi.

3:05 pm IST

Chidambaram on way to Delhi court

Former Union minister and finance minister P Chidambaram, who was arrested last night in connection with the INX mediqa cse, is being taken to a special court in Delhi.

The CBI may ask for at least 7-10 days custody of the senior Congress leader, agency officials said.

2:40 pm IST

If he is an offender, he will be punished: Giriraj Singh

“If he is an offender, he will be punished,” said Union minister Giriraj Singh as he accused accused senior Congress leader P Chidambaram of not adhering to law of the land.

“Democracy was murdered long ago during the emergency. Yesterday, the entire nation saw Chidambaram going missing for over 25 hours. If he claims to be a prominent personality then what was the need of absconding?” Singh said while speaking to ANI.

2:35 pm IST

Chidambaram’s wife Nalini, son Karti reach Delhi court

Ahead of hearing, former Union minister P Chidambaram’s wife Nalini and son Karti,along with senior lawyers reached a Delhi court. The senior Congress leader was arrested on Thursday in connection with INX media case.

2:28 pm IST

Mamata Banerjee reacts to P Chidambaram’s arrest.

Mamata Banerjee on Thursday reacted to senior Congress leader P Chidambaram’s arrest in connection with the INX media case, “sometimes the process is incorrect. I am not talking about the legality. Chidambaram is a senior politician and former finance and home minister of this country”, she said

“The way his matter has been handled is very depressing. That is very sad and bad too,” said Mamata Banerjee.

“We are missing democracy in our country,” she added.

1: 25 pm IST

Congress trying to convert corruption into revolution: Naqvi

As Congress leaders expressed solidarity with former Union minister P Chidambaram, who was on Wednesday arrested by the CBI in connection with the INX media case, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi slammed the party by saying, “the leadership is trying to convert corruption into a revolution,” as reported by news agency PTI.

“The Congress is working with a negative mindset. They have converted corruption into a revolution. This is for the first time that corruption is becoming a revolution. Till now, revolution was against corruption, now revolution is being carried out in favour of corruption,” minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told PTI.

12:57 pm IST

I don’t go to my father’s office: Karti Chidambaram

At Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, P Chidambaram’s son addressed the and said that he never met Peter Mukherjea or Indrani Mukherjea, except the only time he met her was during the CBI interrogation in Byculla jail.

He further said “I don’t go to my farther’s (P. Chidambaram’s) office. Earlier he had said, “I never met anyone in FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board), don’t know the process of FIPB.”

This contradicts the statement that Indrani Mukerjea gave to the Enforcement Directorate. In a statement recorded on February 17, 2018, Indrani had reportedly claimed that Karti had asked them (Mukherjeas) for a bribe of $1 million when they met in Delhi’s Hyatt hotel. This statement now forms a part of court documents.

12:20 pm IST

All the right to appeal, it’s his legal right: Kapil Sibal

Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Thursday expressed his concern over “not being provided with an opportunity to be heard.”

“It is a matter of great concern to us as members of the legal fraternity, also it should be a matter of concern as citizens. A citizen has all the right to appeal, it’s his legal right. All we wanted was a hearing, the presiding judge chose instead to say that I am sending the file to CJI. Isn’t a citizen entitled to be heard?” Sibbal told ANI.

12:00 pm IST

‘Daylight murder of democracy’: Congress

While addressing the media on Thursday, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala termed the arrest of former Union minister P Chidambaram ‘broad daylight murder of democracy’.

Surjewala claimed that the arrest was a result of ‘vindictive politics’ by a ‘desperate government’ and accused the ED and the CBI of pleasing their ‘political masters’.

11: 45 am IST

Deeply distressing: Salman Khurshid

“It’s deeply distressing that all that had to happen, there was no question of not being answerable to the law. The matter is listed on Friday, they could have waited till then to see what the Supreme Court wants to do,” said Congress leader Salman Khurshid on former Union minister P Chidambaram’s arrested by CBI.

11:25 am IST

Never met Peter or Indrani Mukherjea, says Karti Chidambaram

Karti Chidambaram on Thursday said that his father P Chidambaram’s arrest is a “political vendetta”. he also denied any association with either Peter Mukherjea or his wife Indrani Mukherjea, whose statement to CBI led to Chidambaram’s arrest.

“I have never met Peter Mukherjea. Have never met Indrani Mukherjea, only time I met her was during the CBI interrogation in Byculla jail. Never met anyone in FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board), don’t know the process of FIPB”, he said.

11:05 am IST

Arrest based on statement of woman charged with murder of her own daughter: Cong

“A seasoned politician has been arrested based on a statement of a woman charged with murder of her own daughter,” said Surjewala referring to Indrani Mukherjea.

10:50 am IST

We now see depths to which ‘desperate’ BJP govt 2.0 will stoop: Congress

Sinking economy, job losses, devaluation of rupee, we now see depths to which ‘desperate’ BJP govt 2.0 will stoop, said Surjewala hitting out at the government as CBI arrested senior Congress leader Chidambaram’s in connection with the INX media case.

10:45 am IST

‘False charges’ being heaped to ‘silence’ everyone in country: Congress

Congress national spokesperson Randeep Surjewala condemned the arrest of former Union minister P Chidambaram and said that “false charges” are being heaped up on senior political rivals to “silence” everyone in country. .

10:40 am IST

‘CBI now revenge-seeking dept of govt’: Congress

“Those who gave the FIPB clearance have not been arrested. Not a single official has been arrested. They are roaming scot-free

The Narendra Modi government is using CBI and ED as revenge-seeking departments. They are using this case to divert attention from other issues,” the Congress spokesperson said.

10:33 am IST

‘Facts don’t support claims’: Congress on Chidambaram’s arrest

Former Union minister P Chidambaram’s arrest is nothing short of personal and political vendetta of the Modi government, said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala in a media briefing.

”Their facts don’t support claims,” he further said.

10:28 am IST

‘Will fight trumped-up, vindictive act’: Karti Chidambaram

“This is a totally vindictive and malicious act done by a pliant agency. This is only done to settle political scores. There is absolutely no necessity to have done this. It has been done only to create a spectacle on television and to tarnish the image of the Congress party, and to tarnish the image of the former Finance and Home Minister,” Karti Chidambaram told ANI.

He said that the this is a completely trumped-up case in which he has absolutely no connection whatsoever and that it is being done only for political reasons.

10:12 am IST

Chidambaram spends night at CBI office he inaugurated in 2011

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, who served as Union Home Minister during November 2008 to July 2012 in the UPA government, was one of the key guests at the inauguration event of CBI headquarters, held on June 30, 2011, in the presence of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Chidambaram, one of the key ministers during ten years of UPA regime, was taken to headquarters of the probe agency after CBI officials scaled the boundary walls of his residence in Jor Bagh on Wednesday night to arrest him in INX Media case.

10:13 am IST

Will protest at Jantar mantar: Karti

Former Union minister P Chidambaram’s son Karti arrived in Delhi this morning. He said that he will go to Jantar Mantar to join DMK in protesting against abrogation of Article 370.

“They are not merely targeting my father but also the Congress party,” he said on Thursday.

10:10 am IST

‘Drama and spectacle to divert from real issues’: Karti Chidambaram

Chidambaram’s son and Sivaganga MP Karti Chidambaram soon addressed the media in Chennai. He said the whole episode was a bid to “divert the attention of the people of India from serious issues” and was carried out to satisfy voyeuristic pleasures of a few.

“The drama and spectacle being enacted by the agencies is to simply sensationalise and satisfy the voyeuristic pleasure of some,” Karti told reporters in Chennai.

10:05 am IST

How Indrani Mukherjea’s statement to CBI led to Chidambaram’s arrest

Indrani Mukherjea and her husband Peter Mukherjea, who owned INX Media had claimed in their statement to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that when they met P Chidambaram (then a finance minister) in his North Block office in 2006, he asked them to meet his son - Karti - and suggested that they help him in his business.

Indrani Mukherjea’s statement is a key evidence against P Chidambaram in the CBI and ED probes.

She had recorded in her statement on February 17, 2018, now part of court documents, that Karti had asked them (Mukherjeas) for a bribe of $1 million when they met at Hyatt hotel in Delhi.

9:55 am IST

Case made to silence my father: Karti Chidambaram

“The case is being made to silence my father,” said Karti Chidambaram on reaching Delhi.

“I have been summoned 20 times and raided four times. Nobody has ever been raided as many times as me, but they still don't have a case”, he said.

9:45 am IST

Was not hiding from law: P Chidambaram

Former Union minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday evening made a dramatic entry in the Congress’s to declare the he had not been “hiding” from the law and that he would “walk with a clear conscience and head held high” as the party threw its full support behind him.

“I was aghast that I was accused of hiding from the law; on the contrary, I was seeking the protection of the law. I was accused of running away from justice; on the contrary I was engaged in the pursuit of justice,” the former finance minister, who had been missing since Tuesday evening, said.

9:40 am IST

CBI to produce Chidambaram in special court

Former finance and home minister P Chidambaram is expected to be produced in a special CBI court today. The CBI could ask for at least 7-10 days custody, agency officials said.

9:24 am IST

90 mins of high drama

From the Congress HQ on Akbar Road, to the CBI HQ, to Chidambaram’s house- P Chidambaram’s arrest came at the end of around 90 minutes of sheer drama in Lutyens Delhi.

It started at 8.15pm when the former minister made a surprise appearance at a press conference at Congress HQ to declare that he hadn’t been hiding for the past 24 hours as many believed but “seeking protection of the law”.

Chidambaram left the Congress HQ soon after making his statement and arrived at his residence with Singhvi and Sibal. They drove inside and the gates were shut.

A CBI team arrived around 15 minutes later, but the gates weren’t opened for it. The CBI officials scaled the wall and entered the house. Some CBI officials said the former minister was questioned in his house for some time and then arrested. A team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrived a little later. Around 100 policemen, who tried to keep the peace between small groups of Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) protesters who were threatening to have a go at each other. There were minor scuffles.

At around 9.45pm, Chidambaram was hustled out of his house, bundled into a car.

9:16 am IST

Chidambaram arrested by CBI

On Thursday at around 9:45 pm, former finance minister and home minister P Chidambaram was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from his residence in New Delhi’s Jor Bagh.