No Hearing For Chidambaram Bail Plea In SC Today As Justice Ramana Refuses Urgent Listing The Second Time

The bail plea filed by former Union Finance Minister and Congress Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram apprehending arrest in the INX media case failed to get an urgent listing today, despite the attempts made by his team of lawyers.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal made a mention for the second time before the bench headed by Justice Ramana at 2 PM. In reply, Justice Ramana told that the Registry has noted defects in the petition.

When Sibal submitted that defects have been cured, Justice Ramana sought for the presence of Registrar in Court. The Registrar informed that the defects were cured only after lunch break.

Noting that the defects have been cured, Sibal insisted for an urgent hearing today.

"Your lordships have protected people before. Client has cooperated, yet there is a lookout notice against him. We just seek a listing of the matter.", Sibal said.  

However, Justice Ramana expressed reluctance and said that matter cannot be heard unless it was listed as per procedure.

The judge said that only the CJI can take up the matter for listing, refers the case to CJI again. 

In the morning, a previous round of mentioning was made by Sibal before the same bench. Justice Ramana had then referred the file back to the CJI, who is presiding the Constitution Bench hearing the Ayodhya matter.

Sibal's requests for passing interim order of protection from arrest till the matter is listed were not heeded by the bench.

The CBI and ED have filed cavaets in the top court stating that no interim relief should be granted to the former Union Finance Minister without hearing their objections.

Reportedly, look out notices have been issued in search of him.