Chidambaram gets relief from arrest
NEWDELHI: Former Union minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday knocked on the doors of a trial court and the Delhi high court seeking anticipatory bail after the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation summoned him in connection of the Aircel-Maxis and INX Media cases respectively.
Chidambaram was issued notices to appear before both investigative agencies after his role came under the scanner of the ED and the CBI. His name had cropped up in the ₹3,500 crore Aircel-Maxis case and ₹305 crore INX Media case.
Apprehending his arrest in both cases, Chidambaram first moved to the Patiala House court in the Aircel-Maxis case where special judge OP Saini granted him immunity from arrest till June 5, when the matter would be heard for disposal.
In his plea, the 72-year-old Chidambaram said that the summons are “malafide and with the sole intent of enabling the Central Government to pursue a politically motivated vendetta”.
Appearing for the former minister, senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Kapil Sibal submitted that their client is ready and willing to join the investigation as and when called by the officers of the ED, provided he is granted interim protection. Special judge OP Saini said, “In view of the above submissions, put up the application for disposal on June 5, 2018, as prayed. Applicant/accused is directed to join the investigation as and when called by the officers of Enforcement Directorate. However, till then, no coercive action shall be taken against him”.
The battery of lawyers then reached Delhi high court seeking anticipatory bail in the INX Media case where Chidambaram’s role is under the scanner for granting Foreign Investment Promotion Broad approval to two companies in which alleged irregularities have been found. The hearing, which was supposed to take place on Wednesday, witnessed a little bit of drama as Justice SP Garg, recused himself from the hearing. The matter was then listed for proceedings before Justice AK Pathak , who said that he would hear the case at 3 PM.
But counsels for both sides, including additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, jointly requested an adjournment. The matter will be heard at 10.30 AM on Thursday.
In his plea filed in the HC, Chidambaram contended that he was summoned despite him not being mentioned as an accused or a suspect. He said that he feared arrest because of the circumstances under which his son was arrested earlier this year.
While Chidambaram refused to comment on the matter, Congress spokesman RPN Singh accused the NDA government of “indulging in political vendetta to target” its political rivals.
Speaking to HT on the summons, Anil Baluni, Rajya Sabha member and head of BJP’s media cell, said, “The law is taking its own course in the matter”. Chdambaram’s pleas to the courts “show his desperation fearing the inevitable.”