INX Media Case: Hearing of Chidambaram's bail plea challenging validity of CBI custody order delayed

Former Union finance minister P Chidambaram's plea in the Supreme Court challenging trial court's remand order in the INX Media money-laundering and corruption cases has been delayed due to procedural hurdles. The plea has not been listed as registry did not get clearance from Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Chidambaram, mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Justice R Banumathi and said that during the hearing on Friday last, the court had said that the plea challenging the remand order would be taken up for hearing today but it has not been listed for arguments.

The bench told Sibal that Chidambaram's plea will be listed for hearing after the registry gets necessary orders from CJI Ranjan Gogoi.

"The registry has some difficulty and we have to take orders from the Chief Justice," the bench told Sibal.

Chidambaram's pleas challenging the Delhi High Court's August 28 order dismissing his anticipatory bail in the INX media corruption and money laundering cases lodged by CBI and ED are listed for hearing in the apex court today.

Meanwhile, his four-day CBI custody ends today and the top investigating body is expected to produce him in Rouse Avenue Court. The Congress leader will be presented before Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar post-lunch.

Earlier on Thursday, the Delhi court had sent Chidambaram to CBI custody till Monday after he was arrested from his residence in Delhi's upscale Jor Bagh area after a high drama.

The top court had granted him protection from arrest till today in the money-laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate. The court has sought replies from ED on Chidambaram's plea and directed that all the three matters should be listed on Monday.