INX Media Case Live Updates: CBI arrests P Chidambaram
New Delhi: Congress leader P Chidambaram was arrested on Wednesday hours after the Supreme Court posted for hearing on Friday his petition seeking a stay on the Delhi High Court order dismissing his anticipatory bail petitions in the INX Media case.
In a dramatic press appearance in the evening, former finance minister P Chidambaram claimed that the FIR lodged against him does not accuse him of any wrongdoing. "If I'm asked to choose between life and liberty I shall unhesitantly choose liberty. Between now and Friday, I will walk with a clear conscience and my head held high," he said while addressing the media.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court listed Chidambaram's bail plea, seeking protection from arrest, for Friday. Meanwhile, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI issued a look out notice against Chidambaram and both investigative agencies, earlier in the day, filed a caveat against the former finance minister in the top court. The delay in the process of listing the matter occurred after the Registrar pointed out some defects in the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by Sibal. However, after clearing the defects, the case was still not listed by the court. The top court said the defects in the petition had been removed "just now" and it "cannot be listed for hearing today itself".
The CBI has finally arrested P Chidambaram after almost an hour of drama outside his residence. The former finance minister was driven out in the CBI car, TV news channel NDTV flashed. The team of about 30 CBI sleuths accompanied by Delhi police officials reached the Jor Bagh residence of Chidambaram and knocked at the doors for a few minutes before scaling the boundary wall to enter the premises.
(With inputs from Indian Express)