INX Media case: Delhi HC refuses bail to P Chidambaram, says ex-FM may influence witnesses

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Monday refused to grant bail to former finance minister P Chidambaram in the INX Media corruption case. Justice Suresh Kait denied bail to the Congress leader, saying there is no chance of tampering with evidence but there is a possibility that Chidambaram can influence witnesses. Chidambaram, who is in custody since his arrest by the CBI on 21 August, did not approach the trial court and had directly filed the regular bail plea in the high court. He was arrested from his Jor Bagh residence here and is in Tihar Jail under judicial custody till 3 October. The CBI had registered an FIR on 15 May 2017, alleging irregularities in the FIPB clearance granted to the INX Media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during Chidambaram’s tenure as the finance minister. Thereafter, the ED lodged a money laundering case in this regard in 2017.