HC extends relief for Chidambram

NEWDELHI: The Delhi high court on Tuesday extended interim relief to former Union minister P Chidambaram giving him immunity from arrest till August 1 in the INX media case.

Justice A K Pathak extended the May 31 interim order for protection against the arrest after Chidambaram had moved high court for anticipatory bail.

His move came after he was summ- oned by the CBI to join the probe regarding his granting the Foreign Investment Promotion Bo- ard (FIPB) approval to INX media for foreign direct investment.

The court extended the interim order protecting Chidambaram against the arrest and fixed the next date of hearing to August 1.

Appearing for the CBI, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta strongly opposed the bail application. He said that custodial interrogation is necessary and they would file a report in the same regard.

He also said that Chidambaram has remained evasive and during interrogation enough evidence has emerged for which he needs to be arrested.

On May 31, Mehta had raised preliminary objections on the plea and said that Chidambaram should approach the sessions court instead, after the former finance minister rushed to the high court for anticipatory bail fearing arrest.

Chidambaram’s role had come under scanner in the ₹3,500 crore Aircel-Maxis deal, which has its roots in the 2G scam, and ₹305 crore FIPB approval to INX media.