New Delhi, December 4: P Chidambaram, Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader, has been granted bail by the Supreme Court on Wednesday in connection with the INX Media money laundering case. In its order, the top Court directed  Chidambaram to furnish a bail bond of Rs 2 lakhs along with 2 sureties of the same amount. The Court also said that Chidambaram can not travel abroad without the Court's permission. The verdict was pronounced by a bench of justices R Banumathi, AS Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy at 10.30 am. The top Court on Wednesday pronounced its order on Chidambaram's plea against the order of the Delhi High Court that had dismissed his bail petition in the INX Media case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The Supreme Court on November 28, had reserved the order on the petition filed by former finance minister Chidambaram, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail. The bench which was headed by Justice R Banumathi had reserved the order after hearing lawyers appearing for Chidambaram and the ED. "We have heard the submission of counsels, judgment reserved," the bench had said. INX Media Case: Special Court Grants Custody of P Chidambaram to ED.

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The apex court directed the Registry to accept three sets of sealed covers from the ED and keep them in safe custody for the perusal of the court. On November 15, the High Court had dismissed his bail plea and observed that prima facie allegations against him were serious in nature and he played an "active and key role" in the offense.

According to reports, Chidambaram sought bail in a case pertaining to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX Media to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during his tenure as the finance minister. The CBI had registered a corruption case in this regard in May 2017.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 04, 2019 10:55 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).