Kardi Chidambaram's CBI custody extended for three days in INX media case

CBI Special Judge Sunil Rana extended the period of custody and said that Karti's bail petition will be heard on March 15.

New Delhi: A Delhi court has extended the period of custody of Karti Chidambaram in the case of INX Media Corruption for another three days. CBI Special Judge Sunil Rana extended the period of custody and said that Karti's bail petition will be heard on March 15. The CBI told the court that new "objectionable material" was detected against them. Karti Chidambaram is in CBI custody from February 28. The CBI had arrested him from the Chennai airport.

Money laundering case relief 

However, the Delhi High Court has given relief to the INX Media Money Laundering case. In the case filed by Enforcement Directorate (ED), Karti Chidambaram has been granted interim bail on Friday for arrest by March 20. Karti is the son of senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram.

Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, while giving this relief, made it clear that in the case of CBI, if the special court gives bail to Karti, then in such a situation, the Directorate will not arrest him till the next hearing. The CBI has registered a case of corruption against Karti.

Rest of the constitutional validity of Section 19 of the Money Laundering Act

The court said that if the lower court decides to give bail to Karti Chidambaram in the CBI case, then he can put certain conditions on the accused as if the accused has to appear before the ED to be summoned and to cooperate in the investigation. The High Court said that he can direct the accused not to leave the country and hand over his passport. While giving interim relief, the court said that the decision on constitutional validity of Section 19 of the Money Laundering Act is yet to be taken.

Karti's father P. Chidambaram also said in the court

that Karti's father P Chidambaram was also present in the court during the hearing. Karti is in CBI custody and was presented before a special court on Friday and asked for his custody for six more days for questioning. The court has sought a response from the Center and the Enforcement Directorate on the petition filed by Karti challenging the issuance of summon in the money laundering case and challenging the hearing. 

Arrested on February 28 from Chennai

Karti Chidambaram yesterday, while allowing the Supreme Court to withdraw his petition, had said that he should go to Delhi High Court for any interim relief. After this Karti filed a petition in the High Court. Karti was arrested on February 28 at the Chennai airport after returning from Britain. Karti was arrested in connection with an FIR lodged on May 15 for alleged irregularities in connection with FIPB approval to INX Media.

The CBI had alleged that Karti received 10 lakh rupees as a bribe for FIPB approval. On February 23, the Supreme Court had refused to ban the summons released by Eddie against Karti.