INX Media Case: SC Grants Bail to P Chidambaram

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to the former union financeminister in the INX Media case and he will finally walk out of Tihar Jail afterover 100 days.

The top court granted bail on a bond of Rs. 2 lakh with twosureties each and asked Chidambaram not to leave the country withoutpermission.

The court also said that the former minister will also not beable to make any public statements or give press interviews with regard to thecase.

A bench headed by Justice R Banumathi on November 28 hadreserved judgment on the appeal filed by Chidambaram, who has challenged theNovember 15 verdict of the Delhi High Court denying him bail in the case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) while arguing claimed in thetop court that Chidambaram continues to wield "substantial influence" oncrucial witnesses in the case even from the custody, while he argued that theagency cannot "destroy" his career and reputation via baseless allegations.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while opposing the bail plea,appearing for the ED maintained that economic offences like money launderingare grave in nature as they not only affect the nation's economy but also shakepeople's faith in the system, especially when it is committed by those inpower.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and AM Singhvi, representing theformer minister, had countered Mehta's submissions and said there was neitherany evidence linking Chidambaram directly or indirectly with the allegedoffence nor there was any material to show he had influenced witnesses ortampered with any evidence.