New Delhi, August 29: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while representing the Enforcement Directorate before the Supreme Court on Thursday, connected P Chidambaram's plea with cases involving controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed. His argument was aimed at countering Chidambaram's counsel's bid to extract details which the probing agency wanted to secretly share with the apex court.

Chidambaram had objected against the prosecution's move to handover evidence against him to the court in a sealed envelope. Mehta, while arguing against his objection, said the plea will set a wrong precedent if accepted by the top court. Indrani Mukerjea Reacts to P Chidambaram’s Arrest in INX Media Case, Says ‘It’s Good News’

Accused in serious offences would cite this decision of the court to extract evidences, leading to their temperment, Mehta said. This would also leave key witnesses and confessors vulnerable, senior law officer argued. Among those accused who could benefit from Chidambaram's plea, include Hafiz Saeed and Zakir Naik, he further told the bench of Justices R Banumathi and AS Bopanna.

"If the Supreme Court accepts Chidambaram’s plea, then it is bound to adversely affect other cases including those of Vijay Mallya, Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi, Chhagan Bhujbal, Deepak Talwar, Zakir Naik, Hafiz Saeed… and others," HT reported him as saying in the courtroom.

Mehta further added that Chidambaram is an influential person with deep knowledge and resources. If all the evidence is shared with him, he could use his skills to tamper with the established money trail.

Notably, Chidambaram is accused of laundering money by abusing his position as the Union Finance Minister in 2007. The firms linked to his son Karti Chidambaram allegedly received kickbacks in lieu of the then Finance Ministry approving foreign investment of Rs 305 crore in INX Media.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2019 12:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).