CHIDAMBARAM MAY SWAY WITNESSES, NO BAIL: DELHI HC
NEW DELHI: In a setback to former Union minister P Chidambaram, the Delhi high court on Monday dismissed his bail application, expressing fears that he could influence witnesses in the case. It, however, agreed with Chidambaram’s counsel and said that there’s no evidence that the former minister is a flight risk.
NEWDELHI:In a setback to former Union minister P Chidambaram, the Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed his bail application , expressing fears that he could influence witnesses in the case.
“This court cannot dispute the fact that the petitioner (Chidambaram) has been a strong finance minister and home minister and (is) presently, member of Parliament. He is a respectable member of the Bar Association of Supreme Court of India... But the fact that he will not influence the witnesses directly or indirectly cannot be ruled out... Moreover, the investigation is at an advanced stage; therefore, this Court is not inclined to grant bail,” Justice Suresh Kumar Kait said in a 47-page judgment.
The court, however, agreed with Chidambaram’s counsel and said that there is no evidence on record that the former Home Minister is a flight risk. It added that this risk can be secured by putting conditions including surrender of passport, issuance of a look-out notice and mandating that the accused not be allowed to leave the country without the permission of the court (even via Nepal and Bhutan).
“The situation of flight risk is possible only if no look out notice is issued or an accused is not so popular (well-known) and can leave the country based upon forged passport in the name of the other persons. Therefore, I agree with the contentions of Abhishek Manu Singhvi (Chidambaram’s lawyer) and (am) not in agreement with the contentions raised by the Solicitor General on the aforesaid issue,” the judge said.
Reacting to the judgment, Karti P Chidambaram said, “Our lawyers are perusing the order and we are awaiting feedback of our senior counsel. Any further action would be based on their advice”.
The court also admitted that since the documents related to the case are in the custody of the prosecuting agency, government of India and Court and hence there is no chance of tampering with the evidence.
“….the petitioner is not in power except he is a member of the Parliament. Therefore, in my considered view, there is no chance of the petitioner tampering with the evidence…….,” the court said.
Chidambaram, 74, was arrested on August 21 by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with his alleged role in granting FIPB clearance for INX media while he was the finance minister in 2007.
Commenting on the nature of the alleged crime, the judge said “economic offences are a class apart..., and erodes public confidence” in the government.
“It cannot be disputed that if case is proved against the petitioner, the offence is on the society, economy, financial stability and integrity of the country…..,” he added.