P Chidambaram gets bail from Supreme Court in INX Media Case

New Delhi : After staying in Tihar Jail for over 100 days, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has been granted bail by the Supreme Court for his alleged involvement in the INX Media Case. The apex body granted bail on a bond of Rs 2 lakh with two sureties each and asked Chidambaram not to leave the country without permission.

The Supreme Court also barred him from making public statements or taking part in press conferences over the matter.

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

During the arguments, the Enforcement Directorate claimed that the 74-year-old former finance minister continues to wield "substantial influence" on crucial witnesses in the case even from the custody, while he argued that the agency cannot "destroy" his career and reputation via baseless allegations.

Chidambaram was first arrested by the CBI on August 21 and was granted bail on October 22. The ED had arrested him on October 16 in the money laundering case.

The CBI registered its case on May 15, 2017, alleging irregularities in a FIPB clearance granted to the INX Media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007, during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister. The ED afterward lodged a money-laundering case.