Former Union minister P. Chidambaram's plea against Delhi High Court's judgement, which denied him anticipatory bail in the INX Media case, will be mentioned before the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning. "We will mention the matter before the Supreme Court tomorrow morning," said senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing P. Chidambaram.
Chidambaram has been asked to mention his appeal in the Supreme Court at 10:30am on Wednesday. Curiously, a lawyer associated with the case told PTI that a petition on behalf of Chidambaram against the Delhi HC judgement was yet to be filed before the Supreme Court.
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However, Kapil Sibal informed that he tried to seek an audience with the CJI, but communication was made to his team through Registrar (Judicial). He said that he was yet to get a copy of the Delhi HC judgement and added that as CJI Ranjan Gogoi will be sitting in the Constitution bench, the petition will be mentioned before senior-most judge on Wednesday.
The urgent mentioning of the matter in the Supreme Court comes after the Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed Chidambaram's anticipatory bail plea in the corruption and money laundering cases related to INX Media scam. The Delhi High Court also declined interim protection from arrest to the Congress leader in the corruption and money laundering cases.
Following the high court's denial of Chidambaram's plea, Sibal, along with a team of lawyers, were moving cards swiftly in the Supreme Court to prevent an unprecedented arrest of the former minister. Sibal was asked by an SC official to place Chidambaram's petition before Registrar (judicial) Surya Pratap Singh, who will take a call for presenting it before CJI Ranjan Gogoi. Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Salman Khurshid were also in the apex Court to join the deliberations on Chidambaram's case.
Chidambaram was denied relief by Justice Sunil Gaur, who delivered the Delhi HC judgement earlier in the day. "Both the petitions (in CBI and ED case) are dismissed," said Justice Gaur. He had reserved the decision on January 25.
READ: INX Media corruption cases: A timeline
"It is a classic case of money laundering and granting bail in such case will send wrong message to the society. HC is of prima facie opinion that custodial interrogation of Chidambaram is required for an effective investigation in the case. HC says facts reveal that Chidambaram is the kingpin, the key conspirator in the case," the judgement stated.
During the arguments, both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate had opposed Chidambaram's plea on the ground that his custodial interrogation was required as he was evasive during questioning.
(With PTI inputs)
