New Delhi:
The Congress accused the government of hatching a ‘big conspiracy’ against senior party leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram, who was released today after spending 106 days in Tihar Jail in connection with the INX-Media case, for being its sharp critic. The Congress asserted that truth has prevailed after the Supreme Court granted bail to Chidambaram.
“Over 100 days of incarceration was vengeful and vindictive,” tweeted former Congress president Rahul Gandhi soon after Chidambaram was granted bail by the top court.
The Wayanad MP also expressed confidence that the former finance minister will be able to prove his innocence in a fair trial.
Karti Chidambaram heaved a sigh of relief, tweeting, "Phew. At last after 106 days."
Hundreds of Congress workers and supporters greeted Chidambaram as soon as he stepped out of the Tihar jail and gave a rapturous welcome.
"After 106 days of pre-trial incarceration, not a single charge has been framed against me," Chidambaram told reporters outside the prison and then went on to meet party president Sonia Gandhi, who has extended her complete backing.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Sonia Gandhi, Chidambaram said, "I am happy that the Supreme Court has passed an order granting bail and I am happy that I have stepped out and breathing the air of freedom after 106 days."
He said he will address a press conference on Thursday.
Earlier, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury accused the government of hatching a "big conspiracy" against Chidambaram and said walls were scaled to arrest him as if it was the house of "Osama bin Laden's relative" and not of a former Union minister.
"On the orders of this government, walls were scaled of the home of Chidambaram, a former home minister and finance minister, to arrest him as if a relative of Osama bin Laden was staying there. Such behaviour meted out to him is not appropriate," he said.
Asked if Chidambaram was treated like a terrorist, Chowdhury said, "That is what it looks like."
With PTI Inputs
