INX Media case: Chidambaram sent to Tihar jail till November 13

On Monday, Chidambaram was taken to AIIMS after he complained of stomach ache and related issues. He was discharged after treatment. According to sources, he was treated for gastrointestinal-related problems and discharged after doctors conducted a series of tests.

The court had on October 24 sent the 74-year old Congress leader to ED custody till October 30. While seeking extension of custody by a day, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, told the court that they would like to effectively use the time left with them. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Chidambaram, said the agency did not confront him for 14 days.

Meanwhile, while coming out of the courtroom, Chidambaram took a dig at the Centre over the visit of European Union MPs to J&K. He said the EU MPs might be invited to the Parliament next to speak in favour of the government. “Who knows, it may happen,” Chidambaram said.

The unofficial delegation of 23 European Union MPs Wednesday said Article 370 was India’s internal matter and they were not here to interfere in Indian politics even as their visit came under Opposition criticism.

On Wednesday, Chidambaram also moved the Delhi High court seeking interim relief for six days to enable him to consult and get examined by his regular doctor at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG), Hyderabad.

Chidambaram has claimed that he needs “urgent medical treatment for the acute and persistent abdominal pain being experienced” by him since October 5 due to Crohn’s disease which he was diagnosed with in 2017.

Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI on August 21 in the INX Media corruption case and is currently in the ED custody in a related money laundering matter. The CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 alleging irregularities in a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance granted to the INX Media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007, during Chidambaram’s tenure as finance minister.

Thereafter, the ED lodged a money-laundering case in this regard in 2017. The ED had taken him into custody on October 16 this year.