Four-day custody
Special CBI Court sent former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram to CBI custody for four days till August 26. The court allowed four-day CBI custody of the Congress leader in the INX Media corruption case.
Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar asked the agency to conduct medical examination of Chidambaram as per the rules. The court also allowed the family members and lawyers of Chidambaram to meet him for half an hour every day during the CBI custody.
“Considering the facts and circumstances, I am of the view that police custody is justified,” the judge said and remanded him to CBI’s custody till August 26.
20 questions that CBI asked Chidambaram
New Delhi: Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, who was arrested by the CBI late Wednesday, has faced 20 key questions posed by the agency about his involvement in the money laundering and corruption related to the INX Media case.
These are:
- What is the source of income of your properties abroad?
- Where did money come from for purchase of properties in UK, Spain and Malaysia?
- Where did money come from for purchase of Barcelona Tennis Club?
- Why did Karti receive money from British Virgin Island?
- Where did you or Karti invest the money got as bribe for INX deal?
- We have evidence of your foreign based shell companies. What is will you say on it?
- How many shell companies belong to you and Karti?
- What was the business or in which sectors these shell companies were dealing?
- The Financial Intelligence Unit has raised queries over FDI investment of over Rs 305 crore made by three Mauritius-based companies in INX Media Pvt Ltd, then owned by Peter Mukherjea and his former wife Indrani Mukerjea. What would you speak on it?
- Did your son influence various departments of FIPB?
- How did you approve in your capacity as Finance Minister allowing your son Karti flouting all foreign investment rule in INX media deal?
- Why did you meet Indrani Mukerjea at north block?
- Had you asked Indrani to keep in touch with Karti?
- Had you met with Peter Mukerjea too?
- Who are other officers in north block involved in giving clearance to INX Media at your behest?
- Why didn’t you turn up despite being served notice?
- Where had you been since Delhi High Court turned down anticipatory bail plea till yesterday evening and whom did you meet during this time and where?
- Your mobile phone was switched off during this period. Which no did you use?
- Why did you leave your driver and clerk on the way back from Supreme Court yesterday (Tuesday) if your intention was not to evade arrest?
- Why didn’t you appear even after CBI notice?
Delhi court reserves order
New Delhi: A Delhi Court Thursday reserved its order on the CBI plea seeking 5-day custodial interrogation of Congress leader P Chidambaram, who was arrested in the INX Media corruption case.
Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar heard the arguments of CBI and Chidambaram’s counsel for over one-and-a half-hour.
The judge said he will pronounce the order after 30 minutes.
P Chidambaram produced in Delhi court
New Delhi: The CBI produced Thursday former Union Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram, arrested in the INX Media case, before a Delhi court and sought his 5-day custodial interrogation. The probe agency said that it is necessary to unearth a larger conspiracy.
P Chidambaram was produced before Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar where his advocates opposed the CBI plea on the ground that all the other accused, including his son Karti, have already been granted bail in the case.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Chidambaram, argued that the first arrest in the case was of Bhaskar Raman, chartered accountant of Karti Chidambaram, who is presently out on bail.
Besides that, Peter and Indrani Mukherjea, also accused in the case, are out on default bail as they are in jail in connection with another matter, Sibal told the court. The senior advocate contended that grant of bail was a rule and the issue before the court was of personal liberty.
Earlier Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing CBI in the case, said during his arguments that Chidambaram entered into a criminal conspiracy with others in the INX Media scam.
Chidambaram was arrested after issuance of non-bailable warrant against him. “He is not cooperating in the investigation,” Mehta said and added that the former Union Minister has been evasive in replies and grave offence was committed. Mehta said it is a serious and monumental case of money laundering.
Mehta also said Chidambaram’s custodial interrogation was necessary to unearth the ‘quid pro quo and larger conspiracy’ and he is required to be confronted with documents.
Opposing CBI’s arguments, Sibal contended that what the agency said be not taken as ‘gospel truth’. He said that Chidambaram was asked 12 questions and he had already answered six of them previously.
Investigators don’t know what to ask and they don’t have questions ready with them, Sibal told the court. He told the court that that after his arrest on Wednesday night, Chidambaram was interrogated only on Thursday morning at 11.00am. During the arguments, Chidambaram said he has not slept for the last 24 hours.
Sibal further argued that CBI could have written a letter to Chidambaram for producing the documents alleged to be in his possession and the agency cannot say he was evasive during the investigation. He also contended that what has been stated in the CBI case diary was not the truth and cannot be considered as evidence.
Mehta, during his arguments, placed the Delhi High Court’s judgement dismissing Chidambaram’s anticipatory bail plea and also referred to the observations made in it. He stated that the chargesheet has not been filed in the case yet and the case is at pre-chargesheet stage, therefore, ‘we need material which Chidambaram is holding’. “Effective investigation is possible only in custodial interrogation,” Mehta argued.
Mehta contended that serious, active and informed role of the accused is made out and money trail is made out and has to be probed. Chidambaram’s custodial interrogation required to get answers of certain questions for effective probe, he pointed out.
Soon after entering the courtroom, the 73-year-old Chidambaram was seen having discussion with his party leaders and senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Vivek Tankha.
Chidambaram’s family members, including his wife Nalini and son Karti, are also in the courtroom along with other senior advocates including Dayan Krishnan. Heavy security arrangement has been done outside the courtroom.
PTI
