The Delhi High Court today said the INX media case involving former Union minister P Chidambaram is a classic case of money laundering and it was of the prima facie opinion that his custodial interrogation is required for an effective investigation in the matter. Justice Sunil Gaur, who dismissed Congress leader Chidambaram’s anticipatory bail plea in the corruption and money laundering cases related to the INX Media scam, said that granting bail in such cases will send the wrong message to the society.
The high court also declined interim protection from arrest to him for approaching the Supreme Court in the case. After the high court denied him relief, Chidambaram met senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Salman Khurshid in the Supreme Court for deliberating his further course of action.
Chidambaram’s role had come under the scanner of various investigating agencies in the 3,500-crore rupees Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving 305 crore rupees. It was during his tenure as finance minister in the UPA-I government that clearances from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) were given to the two ventures.