Breaking: Chidambaram's CBI Custody Extended In INX Media Case For One More Day

CBI Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar at the Rouse Avenue, Delhi on Friday extended the CBI custody of former Union Home and Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the INX media till tomorrow.

His bail application will be considered tomorrow, after his matter in Supreme Court is over tomorrow.

This was after an intense round of argument between Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Chidambaram's lawyers regarding the purport of the Supreme Court's order passed today.

While Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Chidambaram, submitted that the SC had directed the CBI Court to take a decision on interim bail today itself, the Solicitor General insisted that he should be given prior notice of the bail application.

Citing proviso to Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the SG said that prosecution was entitled to be heard before the Court decides on the bail plea.

 In the petition filed by Chidambaram challenging his arrest and remand, the SC bench of Justices R Banumathi and Bopanna passed an interim order asking him to move the CBI court for bail. The bench also directed the CBI judge to take a decision on the interim bail/extension of remand today itself. It was further directed that his police custody should be extended (and not judicial custody) in case the plea for interim bail was rejected.

Chidambaram was arrested by CBI from his Jor Bagh residence on August 21 night in the case registered by the CBI for alleged corruption in the clearance given to FDI by INX Media in May 2007 when he was the Union Finance Minister.

The kickbacks for sanctioning the Rs.305 crores investment was routed through the companies associated with Chidambaram's son Karti ,alleged the CBI.

On August 22, the CBI judge remanded Chidambaram to four days custody after observing that the allegations were "serious in nature" and a "detailed and in depth investigation is required in the case".

The SC bench of Justices Banumathi and Bopanna has reserved orders on Chidambaram's plea for pre-arrest bail in the case registered by Enforcement Directorate on money laundering allegations.