Chidambaram Sent To Custody Till Aug 26

The former union minister was arrested by the CBI from his residence in New Delhi late on Wednesday.

The court said family members and lawyers are permitted to meet Chidambaram for 30 minutes a day.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who argued for the CBI, had moved an application seeking 5-day custody of Chidambaram.

Mehta argued that custodial interrogation of the Congress leader was required as the former Finance Minister was “evasive” and “non-cooperative” in the investigation.

Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar heard the arguments of the CBI and Chidambaram’s counsels. Mehta said that the case, which is a classic example of money laundering, is in the pre-charge sheet stage.

Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi defended Chidambaram saying he had appeared before the media on Wednesday even when he was not required to.

“The man was exercising his legal rights. He had no reason to address the nation in a press conference. Yet he walked in with his head held high and addressed the press conference and the media still calls him an absconder. That is very unfair and disrespectful,” Singhvi told reporters before leaving for the Rouse Avenue Court here.

Singhvi is also one of the counsels for Chidambaram along with Kapil Sibal said the media was unnecessarily trying to sensationalize the issue.

“The media is sensationalizing it. The man (Chidambaram) was having a legal conference with me till 7 pm yesterday evening and addressed the press conference after that,” Singhvi said.

(ANI)