INX Media case: PC denies CBI claim of using FM office for personal gain
NEW DELHI: Veteran Congress leader P Chidambaram, arrested in the INX Media corruption case, denied in the Delhi High Court on Monday that he used the office of finance minister for personal gain.
In a rejoinder to CBI'S reply on his bail plea, he said that a
look out circular (LOC) has already been issued against him and it is preposterous to allege that he is a flight risk and can evade the process of law.
Denying CBI charges of the present case being a clear betrayal of public trust at
large, the former finance minister said that the Rs 305 crore which came to INX media as foreign direct investment was well within the approval percentage of 46.216 per cent.
He also denied in his reply the probe agency's claim that cogent evidence incriminating him in the offence was on record and a strong case has been made out against him.
Chidambaram also denied the charge that he used the office of the finance minister for personal gains in connivance with his co-conspirators and claimed there was no loss to the public exchequer in this case.
"No public funds were involved in this case and it is not a case of bank fraud or taking money out of the country or defrauding depositors in stealing money," he said in the reply.
Chidambaram said no credibility can be attached to Indrani Muerjea, who has
turned an approver in the corruption case, since she and her husband were also being investigated by the CBI in a mur
der case.
Justice Suresh Kait is scheduled to hear Chidambaram's bail plea later in the day.