New Delhi, September 19: The health of former union finance minister P Chidambaram, who is lodged in Tihar Jail, is rapidly deteriorating, said his counsel on Thursday. Appearing before a Special CBI Court in Delhi, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appealed the bench to conduct a medical examination of Chidambaram. The 74-year-old, who is suffering from coronary artery disease, hypertension, impaired glycemia, has lost weight since he was taken into custody on August 21, Singhvi said.

"Whatever the doctor says is acceptable to us. Medical examination is all that we want," said seasoned lawyer and Congress veteran Kapil Sibal, who is part of Chidambaram's counsel. Sibal alleged that the accused is being mistreated in the prison as the pillow offered to him, along with the chair to sit, has been removed from the cell. P Chidambaram's Custody in INX Media Case Extended Till October 3 by Delhi Court.

Chidambaram is being forced to sit on the bed which has worsened his health condition, the counsel told the bench of Justice Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar.

The court, however, ruled out releasing Chidambaram and refrained from announcing his medical examination. Instead, the judge weighed in favour of the CBI's argument and agreed to extend the Congress leader's custody till October 3.

Chidambaram, an accused in the INX media case, is being probed for allegedly flouting the norms while permitting a foreign investment to the tune of Rs 305 crore to the media company. Chidambaram, who was the Finance Minister in 2007 when the alleged crime took place, is charged of receiving kickbacks through offshore firms and entities linked to his son Karti Chidambaram.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2019 08:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).