Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram in Tihar Jail on Wednesday. Chidambaram is in Tihar Jail in judicial custody since August 21 in INX Media case. Earlier, Sonia Gandhi had also gone to Tihar and met Chidambaram. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently opposed the bail plea of the former Union Finance Minister in the Supreme Court, saying that the investigation found clear evidence of his involvement in money laundering. It is also alleged that senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram, accused in INX Media case, has kept in touch with the witnesses even while in custody.
The ED alleged in an affidavit filed in the apex court that Chidambaram was trying to destroy the evidence. The affidavit stated that the ED summoned three people while Chidambaram was in custody. Two of these people did not come and the third refused to face Chidambaram. The third witness had written in writing about the serious consequences of appearing. The ED had said in the court that it is very surprising for Chidambaram to claim that no one has spoken a word against him. It is clear from such a statement that he is in contact with other people. The ED said that the investigation is currently at a crucial stage and Chidambaram cannot be granted bail merely on the basis that he has been the Union Finance Minister or the other accused have been granted bail. The Supreme Court will consider this affidavit on Wednesday.
Chidambaram has challenged the order of the Delhi High Court dismissing the bail plea in the Supreme Court. The High Court had rejected the bail plea, saying that the allegations against him were serious and he appeared to have an important and active role in the INX Media scam. The High Court Justice Suresh Kait had also said in his order that if a concession was given to such an accused, it would send a wrong message.
