22 August 2019, 19:30 PM
Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi hits out at Modi Government: "Rajiv Gandhi came to power in 1984 but he never used powers to create an atmosphere of fear or to destroy the freedom & liberty of the people. He never used his power to put the principles of democracy in danger."
22 August 2019, 18:56 PM
Chhattisgarh CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel says, "P Chidamabaram was constantly criticising the policies of the Central Govt and was pointing out their failures. The government is not able to face the criticism and so they want to suppress the opposing voices."
22 August 2019, 18:50 PM
"Accused's dignity cannot be violated", the special court told CBI while granting 5-day remand.
22 August 2019, 18:42 PM
Special CBI Court sends Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram to CBI custody till August 26. Court added that family members and lawyers are permitted to meet him for 30 minutes a day.
22 August 2019, 18:41 PM
Special Court remands Chidambaram to five-day CBI custody.
22 August 2019, 18:15 PM
Supreme Court to hear P Chidambaram's petition against the Enforcement Directorate on August 27, whereas his petition against the CBI would be heard on Friday.
22 August 2019, 18:12 PM
Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi leave the court room.
22 August 2019, 18:11 PM
P Chidambaram in Court: "Please look at the questions and answers, there are no questions which I have not answered, please read the transcript. They asked, if I have bank account abroad, I said no, they asked if my son has an account abroad I said yes."
22 August 2019, 17:15 PM
When P Chidambaram said in court he wants to speak, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta objected and said he is being represented here by two senior advocates. Abhishek Manu Singhvi said there is Delhi HC Judgement that allows the accused to make a representation on his behalf. "Chidambaram may have to say something we don't know," Singhvi responds.
"Whether Karti was entitled to bail or not will not affect this case. Each case has its own merits," Tushar Mehta, arguing on behalf of CBI, counters.
"There was an affidavit filed by the prosecution in the HC that further investigation is going on and there was a need to interrogate. The prosecution has a reasonable ground to come to a conclusion that he was so evasive. And we have to reach to the root of the issue. This not called exercising the right of silence but it's being evasive. He is also mentioning the observations of HC judgement which said that the gravity of the offence did not make for granting of bail," added Mehta.
22 August 2019, 17:14 PM
22 August 2019, 17:10 PM
Singhvi in court: "Six out of 12 questions asked by CBI are old and can't these questions be asked outside custody? What is the point of custody?"
22 August 2019, 16:59 PM
Special CBI court to pronounce order on Chidambaram's remand case in 30 minutes.
22 August 2019, 16:53 PM
"A new word has come up- Gravity of Offence, the only way to judge gravity is the length of the sentence. Entire CRPC is based on up to seven years more than seven years. Grant of remand is an exception, and the investigation agency has to make a strong case showing that without custody they cannot proceed ahead," says Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
22 August 2019, 16:37 PM
Congress workers on Thursday protested against former Chidambaram`s arrest in INX Media case in Chennai and Bhopal.
22 August 2019, 16:34 PM
"The whole approach is wrong. When they say that he is evasive, it means that he is not answering the way they want him to answer," says Abhishek Manu Singhvi in court, arguing on behalf Chidamabaram.
22 August 2019, 16:26 PM
Abhishek Manu Singhvi, arguing on behalf Chidamabaram, says in court, "Talking about 6 secretaries. None of the 6 persons are arrested but the man who approves is arrested. The entire case is based on the case diary and statement of Indrani Mukerjea. If the prosecution agency is so thirsty, why didn't they call him even once in 11-12 months?"
"Indrani Mukerjea is the fresh reason. This reason has been created so that it can be said that now CBI needs him again. Approver is a status, not proof," he adds.
22 August 2019, 16:24 PM
"You delayed the judgement and say that he had a protective umbrella. Grant of police remand is an exception. I have an objection to the way the accused is dealt with. This is a case which has no evidence," Kapil Sibal, representing Chidambaram, rests his case.
22 August 2019, 16:19 PM
Kapil Sibal arguing for P Chidambaram in court: "This is the case which has nothing to do with evidence but with something else. If a Judge has taken seven month to deliver the judgement(Delhi HC judgment rejecting anticipatory bail of Chidambaram) then is that the protected umbrella Chidambaram got? We are aggrieved."
22 August 2019, 16:17 PM
Mehta, representing CBI, says in court, "The right to remain silent is a constitutional right, it does not bother us. But P Chidambaram is running away from questions."
22 August 2019, 16:16 PM
Kapil Sibal in court: "He was asked 12 questions. He replied to six. Rest he said that he has already replied to them. Why did not they interrogate him in 2017? What are the documents? Which are the facts? Other accused are out on bail."
22 August 2019, 16:10 PM
"Karti Chidambaram is on regular bail. The investigation conducted so far says that a payment of $5 million was made to him but they did not ask that question in 2017. But they asked that question yesterday night or this morning," says Sibal. "This payment is not related to Karti or his companies. This question was related to direct payment made to him. Where are the facts?"
22 August 2019, 16:09 PM
Defending Chidambaram in court, Kapil Sibal says, "This is a matter of personal liberty. He had been cooperative. Please call for the records of investigation. Last night the CBI said that they want to interrogate him. But did not start interrogation till 12 noon and then asked 12 questions."
22 August 2019, 16:06 PM
Sibal in court: "In this case FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) approval is given by six secretaries who are now placed in different departments. Any of them have not been arrested. Sanctions were sought for them. This case is of 2007-2008. The FIR was filed in 2017. Chidamabaram was interrogated only on one day. If he did not respond to CBI call they could have called again. But they never called."
22 August 2019, 15:59 PM
Kapil Sibbal starts his argument in court.
"Accused in the case is Karti Chidambaram who's been granted bail. Another accused Bhaskaraman (Karti Chidambaram's chartered account) was granted anticipatory bail. Peter and Indrani Mukerjea are on default bail. A draft charge sheet has been prepared reflected on the judgement of the high court," says Sibal.
22 August 2019, 15:57 PM
Arguing to take Chidamabaram into custody, Mehta says, "We are at pre-chargesheet stage and documents are not being provided by him. A serious and informed role of the accused is being presented. This needs to be probed. Mere appearance becomes just a formality until accused is under protective cover."
22 August 2019, 15:53 PM
Citing Delhi High Court verdict, Mehta says that since Chidambaram is not cooperating in the investigation, he should be taken into remand.
22 August 2019, 15:49 PM
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for CBI, says that P. Chidambaram is not cooperating in the investigation, not answering questions.
22 August 2019, 15:47 PM
Chidambaram has smile on his face during courtroom proceedings. Top lawyers and fellow Congress leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Kapil Sibbal , Dayan Krishnan, and Vivek Tankha are all inside the courtroom.
22 August 2019, 15:42 PM
Tushar Mehta, representing CBI, spoke on criminal conspiracy and how public Chidambaram influenced public servants. "He prevented punitive action, gave undue advantage. INX Media paid a substantial amount. NBW was also issued by the court pursuant to Chidambaram's arrest," said Mehta in court.
22 August 2019, 15:41 PM
CBI says in Court that on application of CBI a non-bailable warrant was also issued and on that basis the arrest was made.
22 August 2019, 15:41 PM
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta arguing for CBI in Court says have moved an application seeking five-day custody of P Chidambaram
22 August 2019, 15:15 PM
P Chidambaram has been brought to special CBI court by officials where special CBI judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar would hear his case. CBI is likely to demand 14-days custody of the former finance minister.
22 August 2019, 14:55 PM
Around 100 police personnel deployed at Rouse Avenue court as P Chidambaram slated to arrive shortly for INX Media case hearing.
22 August 2019, 14:53 PM
Over 100 cops have been deployed around Rouse Avenue court complex. Chidamabaram will be brought here shortly.
22 August 2019, 14:34 PM
Ahead of the hearing of P Chidambaram in special CBI court, his wife Nalini, son Karti, his lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress leaders and senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Vivek Tankha are also present in the court.
22 August 2019, 14:27 PM
The CBI ended its questioning of P Chidambaram after grilling him for several hours. The former finance minister will be produced in special CBI court shortly.
22 August 2019, 14:18 PM
According to Zee Media sources, Chidambaram refuses to co-operate with CBI officials during the questioning and is not answering any questions posed by the CBI.
22 August 2019, 14:14 PM
Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P Chidambaram, reaches the special CBI court where his father would be produced along with their lawyer.
22 August 2019, 14:12 PM
Addressing the reporters DMK President MK Stalin says that Chidambaram's arrest is a matter of shame for India and political vendetta, news agency ANI reports.
DMK President MK Stalin in Chennai on P Chidambaram arrested by CBI: I too saw how CBI jumped the wall & arrested him, it's a matter of shame for India, it is political vendetta. Chidambaram had asked for anticipatory bail but he was arrested, it's condemnable. pic.twitter.com/iaRZ1RGU1d
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2019
22 August 2019, 13:20 PM
During the second round of questioning, CBI asks Chidambaram how many times he met Indrani Mukerjea. Further, CBI questions former finance minister if he asked his son Karti to meet Indrani and Peter Mukerjea.
22 August 2019, 13:15 PM
Supreme Court will hear P Chidambaram's plea for interim bail against the ED on Friday. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected bail pleas filed by Chidambaram against his arrest by the ED and the CBI in the INX Media money laundering case.
22 August 2019, 12:23 PM
Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer Rakesh Ahuja probing INX Media case transferred back to Delhi Police.
22 August 2019, 11:46 AM
Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy says that court takes decisions as per law and the party or the government has no role in it, news agency ANI reports. The minister further asserts that it is the court, and not the government that decides where to put the people who indulge in corruption.
Union Minister of State for Home,G Kishan Reddy on P Chidambaram arrested by CBI: Law will take its own course, the court takes decisions as per law,the party,the govt has no role in it. It's the court, not government that decides where to put the people who indulge in corruption pic.twitter.com/w5h6l1MIjF
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2019
22 August 2019, 11:21 AM
Special CBI judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar arrives in court number 502 of Rouse Avenue.
The judge would first hear the case against Himachal Pradesh former chief minister Virbhadra Singh for amassing disproportionate assets. Following this, P Chidambaram would be produced in the court before judge Kuhar.
22 August 2019, 11:00 AM
The DSP, SP, and DIG officers of the CBI are questioning Chidambaram in the INX Media money laundering case.
Further, a meeting likely to prepare remand papers is being held between Director of CBI, Director (Prosecution) and Joint Director (Economic).
22 August 2019, 10:44 AM
Karti Chidambaram now says that the protest at Jantar Mantar is on the revocation of Article 370, news agency ANI reported.
"Our whole party, alliance parties, the leader of DMK raised this issue (P Chidambaram's arrest) as well, Mr MK Stalin condemned it yesterday, " Karti tells reporters.
Karti Chidambaram in Delhi: The protest in Jantar Mantar is about #Article370. Our whole party, alliance parties, the leader of DMK raised this issue (P Chidambaram's arrest) as well, Mr. MK Stalin condemned it yesterday. https://t.co/mkTlgE3OHF
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2019
22 August 2019, 10:42 AM
Defending himself and his father in the INX Media case, Karti Chidambaram said, "I've never met Peter Mukerjea, I've never met Indrani Mukerjea in my life. The only time I've seen Indrani was when CBI took me to confront her. I have had no interaction with anyone directly or indirectly connected with their company."
Karti Chidambaram in Delhi: I've never met Peter Mukerjea, I've never met Indrani Mukerjea in my life. The only time I've seen Indrani was when CBI took me to confront her. I have had no interaction with anyone directly or indirectly connected with their company. https://t.co/mkTlgE3OHF
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2019
22 August 2019, 10:32 AM
Congress calls the arrest of Chidambaram as brazen personal and political vendetta.
Speaking at a press conference, party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala claims that India has witnessed murder of democracy.
"It is an attempt to tarnish the Congress's image. CBI, ED are being misused."
22 August 2019, 10:28 AM
Security tightened around Rouse Avenue court premises where special CBI judge would hear the INX Media case in which P Chidambaram was arrested on Wednesday night.
22 August 2019, 10:20 AM
Some of the questions the CBI is likely to ask Chidambaram during the questioning are:
1. Why did you not get involved in the investigation despite being served a notice?
2. Where were you in between the period of Delhi High Court rejecting your bail plea and you holding the press conference at AICC headquarters?
