Anticipatory bail over INX Media case from P Chidambaram rejected by court

NEW DELHI: An appeal for anticipatory bail from P Chidambaram had been rejected by the court today rejected an appeal for anticipator, opening up to the possibility of arrest of the former Union Minister in the INX Media case.

Regarding the case, Mr Chidambaram had been questioned several times, in 2007 involving alleged kickbacks that were received by his son Karti Chidambaram in exchange for allowing the television company to receive foreign funds to the tune of Rs. 305 crore.

At the time, Mr Chidambaram was the finance minister in the UPA government which was headed by Manmohan Singh.

Mr Chidambaram has denied any irregularities in the matter, saying he is being targeted by the BJP-led Central government for political reasons.

The court said the "magnitude and enormity" of material produced by the investigating agencies "dis-entitles him from any pre-arrest bail".

"This is an economic offence and has to be dealt with iron hands... The hands of investigating agencies cannot be tied up in such a massive economic offence. Evasive in his replies and has not cooperated with the investigations," the court said.

Karti Chidambaram -- who is also being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI -- has been accused of getting the government clearance for INX Media.