Investigating agencies may use 'coercive methods' to elicit response from me: Chidambaram told SC

Former finance minister P Chidambaram, in his latest affidavit in ED case against him, on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the investigating agencies may use some "coercive methods" to elicit a response from him.

The rejoinder affidavit by the former minister was filed in response to the ED's affidavit which had said that Chidambaram had been completely "evasive and non-cooperative" during the three instances when he was called in for questioning in relation to the INX Media case and said that agency requires his custodial interrogation to unearth material based on "cogent evidence".

The affidavit filed by Chidambaram stated, "The contention that custodial interrogation is qualitatively different merely because the accused happens to be in custody of the CBI and such an averment suggests that some coercive methods may be used by the respondents to elicit responses."

"It is even more hazardous to allow custody since that would jeopardize the constitutional right of the accused under Article 21 of the Constitution," read the affidavit of Congress leader.

In the affidavit, Chidambaram denied ED's contention that he owns property abroad or any bank accounts overseas.

He said the allegations made by ED concerning 17 accounts and 10 properties are not true and sought direction from the Court for the ED to place on record details of the bank accounts and properties found in Chidamabaram's name.

The Supreme Court was hearing an appeal against the Delhi High Court's order dismissing anticipatory bail plea of Chidambaram in a case being probed by the ED relating to INX media case.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court extended the protection from arrest granted to Chidambaram till tomorrow in a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate in the alleged INX media scam.

The top court was hearing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) moved by Chidambaram against the Delhi High Court order denying him anticipatory bail in the ED case. The hearing in the case will continue tomorrow.

Kapil Sibal, the counsel of Chidambaram, also sought a direction to the ED to produce his client's statement recorded by them in the case.

Yesterday, a special court had extended the CBI remand of the Congress leader by four days in a corruption case filed by the CBI in INX media scam. The agency had sought an extension contending that they have to "unravel the larger conspiracy".

In 2017, the CBI had registered an FIR alleging irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to INX Media to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the Union finance minister.

Following the FIR filed by CBI, ED had filed a case of money laundering against him.