The Congress says Chidambaram’s arrest is political vendetta, but the BJP is winning the perception battle
P. Chidambaram has a habit of personally receiving visitors at his 115-A, Block 172, Jor Bagh residence in south Delhi. But on August 20, a team of CBI sleuths that went looking for him three times could not find the host in the house. Earlier in the day, the Delhi High Court had rejected the former Union finance minister’s request for anticipatory bail in the INX Media case, saying the facts of the case pointed out that he was the “kingpin or the key conspirator” in the case. Though he moved Supreme Court, the matter was posted for hearing on August 23.
On August 21, however, Chidambaram made a dramatic entry into a media conference at the Congress headquarters, which was to be addressed by his legal team. He read out from a prepared statement: “I was aghast that I was accused of hiding from the law. On the contrary, I was seeking protection of the law. I was accused of running away from justice. On the contrary, I was engaged in the pursuit of justice.” It seems he is in for a long pursuit, as the CBI arrested him from his house when he returned after the media conference. The fact that the CBI officials had to jump the compound wall of Chidambaram’s house amid anti-Modi sloganeering by Congress supporters was evidence of the onset of the first bitter political fight between the Congress and the BJP post the Lok Sabha polls.
The CBI registered a first information report on May 15, 2017, to probe the alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds of 305 crore in 2007, when Chidambaram was the finance minister. Chidambaram’s son, Karti, is an accused in the criminal and money laundering cases registered by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate. Karti was arrested by the CBI in February 2018 and he got bail after a few days. While he continues to be on bail, the charges of misuse of office have come to haunt Chidambaram.
Denne historien er fra September 01, 2019-utgaven av THE WEEK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 01, 2019-utgaven av THE WEEK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Themes Of Choice
As Savvy Investors Seek New Avenues, Thematic Mutual Funds Are Gaining Popularity
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
