New Delhi: A special CBI court on Thursday extended former finance minister P. Chidambaram’s judicial custody till October 3.
The 74-year-old senior Congress leader, who was arrested by the investigative agency last month in connection with the controversial INX media case, was sent to judicial remand for 14 days on September 5.
Chidambaram’s time in Tihar jail was supposed to end today.
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On Thursday afternoon, however, the CBI moved an application seeking an extension of judicial custody before the special court at the Rouse Avenue Court Complex.
Senior advocate Abishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Chidambaram, argued that “reasonable grounds” must exist for extending judicial custody and that it should only be for four more days if granted.
Singhvi also requested the court to order a medical examination of the former finance minister, who has reportedly lost weight over the last two weeks.
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Responding to these claims, solicitor general Tushar Mehta argued that the health of any inmate at Tihar Jail is a concern and that medical care could be given as per the provisions of the law.
Chidambaram also told that the court that he had “developed back pain” as he neither had a chair nor a pillow in his cell. While his lawyers were arguing for his release, Chidambaram interrupted to add, “There were chairs outside the room, I used to sit there during the day, now that too is withdrawn. Because I was using it, they have taken it away, now even the warden is without a chair.”
Even as Singhvi added that he had a chair “three days ago, now there is no chair, no pillow either”, Mehta called it “a small issue”.
“No need to sensationalise it. It’s a petty issue. There was no chair in his room from beginning,” he added.
After deliberating over the matter, however, the court decided to extend Chidambaram’s judicial custody until October 3. The senior Congress leader will be allowed to meet his family on a regular basis in this time.
Chidambaram’s bail hearing in this matter is expected to be heard by the Delhi high court next week.