More trouble for P Chidambaram: ED issues lookout notice against former Union Minister

Moments after Justice NV Ramana referred P Chidambaram’s anticipatory bail plea Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, the Enforcement Directorate issues lookout notice against the former Finance Minister on Wednesday. The fresh lookout circular against Chidambaram seeks to restrict his movement across land, air and seaports. In his interim bail plea, Chidambram argued that he should be given protection from arrest because he has not been named in the FIR in the INX Media Case. However, appearing for the ED and CBI, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court bench that it is a case of money laundering of "monumental magnitude". He also said that, “we are ready for all possible legal recourses that Chidambaram might take. If he seeks urgent listing from the Chief Justice of India, we are ready with our strategy.”

Meanwhile, following is the chronology of events in the INX Media corruption and money laundering cases in which the Delhi High Court Tuesday dismissed the anticipatory bail pleas of Congress leader P Chidambaram.

• May 15, 2017: CBI registers FIR in INX media case  alleging irregularities in FIPB clearance to the group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007.
• 2018: ED lodges the money laundering case in this regard. CBI summons Chidambaram for questioning.
• May 30: Chidambaram moves Delhi High Court seeking anticipatory bail plea in the corruption case of CBI.
• July 23: He moves Delhi HC for anticipatory bail in the money laundering case of ED.
• July 25: High Court grants him interim protection from arrest in both cases.
• January 25, 2019: HC reserves its judgement on his anticipatory bail in both cases.
• August 20: HC dismisses the anticipatory bail pleas. It also declines Chidambaram's request to stay the order for 3 days to enable him to move an appeal in the Supreme Court.