According to reports, Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday met senior party leader P Chidambaram in Tihar Jail, where he is lodged in connection with INX media money laundering case. Chidambaram, who was arrested by the CBI on August 21, is currently in judicial custody in Tihar Jail since September 5. P Chidambaram’s son and Lok Sabha MP Karti Chidambaram also visited his father in the jail with the Congress leaders. It should be noted that Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh have visited the jail premises for the first time ever to meet any party leader.
Delhi: Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi and Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh arrive at Tihar Jail to meet P Chidambaram. pic.twitter.com/ouX4FXniNS
— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2019
After the meeting, Karti Chidambaram told media, “My father and my family are extremely grateful to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former PM Manmohan Singh for visiting him today and for extending their support. It’s a big boost for us in this political fight.”
Former Finance Minister Chidambaram is facing probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged irregularities in granting clearance to INX media to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007.
The Congress has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government of indulging in political vendetta and misusing investigative agencies for personal gains.
A Delhi court is expected to hear bail plea of P Chidambaram in the CBI case of INX Media. Earlier, CBI in its reply to the bail application had said that granting of bail to Chidambaram can lead to tampering with the evidence and there is a probability of influencing the witness.
On Thursday, the court was told that Chidambaram has developed back pain because he was not provided a pillow or a chair in his cell. The court termed it a small issue and extended his judicial custody by October 3.
