PC sent to ED custody till Oct 30

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday sent former finance minister P Chidambaram to custodial interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate till October 30 in the INX Media money laundering case. Special judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar allowed the ED to quiz Chidambaram and said that he be taken to AIIMS immediately in case of any medical complication. The court said that the other conditions of his custody will be the same, including providing him home-cooked food. The probe agency had sought 7-day custodial interrogation of the 74-year-old senior Congress leader. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Chidambaram, said the former minister is very ill and sought two-day interim bail for treatment in Hyderabad. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for ED, opposed the plea and said it would be a serious miscarriage of justice if the agency’s investigation is curtailed. Mehta told the court that documentary evidence has come to light which shows Chidambaram’s connection to money laundering. The law officer said Chidambaram’s pace decreased while answering certain questions during interrogation and more time is needed to quiz him. Sibal said there is no basis for further remand and the agency could have easily confronted Chidambaram with the witnesses all these days. (PTI)