HC asks Chidambaram to file affidavit about FIPB papers

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram to file an affidavit stating the source of certain documents regarding the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to INX Media.

The Bench, headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, asked Chidambaram's counsels Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Kapil Sibal to state through an affidavit the source of documents relating to the approval, which were being referred to by his lawyers during the hearing of his bail plea.

Chidambaram's legal team stated that denial of bail to its client would result in his "undertrial incarceration without conviction"

Singhvi argued, "I am being painted black on alleged testimony of a person convicted of murder of her own daughter." "A statement of co-accused is only admissible after an independent evidence is found," he added.

The court posted the matter for hearing on Wednesday.

In its reply before the Delhi HC on Friday, the probe agency had said Chidambaram remained "non-cooperative" during investigation and didn't even answer the "basic" questions.

The agency also contended there was sufficient evidence on record that revealed the role of the former Finance Minister in the INX Media case.

The agency said if Chidambaram was released on bail he would ensure that the crucial details pertaining to the case could not be accessed by the probe agencies.

Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram were named in the case by Peter Mukerjea and Indrani Mukerjea, who are currently in Mumbai jail in connection with the murder of Indrani's daughter Sheena Bora.

The ED too had filed a money laundering case against Chidambaram in this regard in 2017.