INX Media case: Chidambaram confronted with co-accused, CBI tells court

CBI Monday asserted in a Delhi Court that former finance minister P Chidambaram has been confronted with a co-accused in the INX Media corruption case and evidence has emerged from exchange of their e-mails during the investigation.

"He has been confronted with one of the co-accused. The accused is to be confronted with some other accused persons as well. It is also submitted that certain files have to be shown concerning transaction of INX Media Pvt Ltd," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar.

Although during the hearing for CBI's custodial interrogation of Chidambaram, the name of the co-accused confronted with him was not divulged, officials from the agency later identified the official as former NITI Aayog CEO Sindhushree Khullar.

In the court, the Solicitor General submitted that in the probe, some information about the role of the accused has been received from sister agencies (including ED) which are being scrutinised and are needed to be put up to Chidambaram for the investigation.

He said numerous e-mails, which are to be correlated with other documents, have come to the knowledge of the CBI.

Mehta also referred to the alleged payments of USD 5 million and USD 4.5 million to Chidambaram and said that the Letters Rogatory (LRs) have been sent to five countries -- Britain, Switzerland, Bermuda, Mauritius and Singapore. LRs are a formal request from a court to a foreign court for certain judicial assistance.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Chidambaram, opposed the CBI plea seeking extension of custody and said there was no document in support of the alleged payments to the accused.

Terming the investigation by the CBI as "clouded", Sibal said the agency has not disclosed the name of any other co-accused to whom he was confronted and to whom he is to be further confronted.

"During the police custody remand of the accused, he has not been asked with regard of this payment. He has not been asked about the bank accounts. He said there is no evidence for allegation regarding the payments of 5 million dollars and 4.5 million dollars," Sibal said.

Mehta also told the court about the statement of Indrani Mukerjea, a co-accused who recently turned approver in the case, and about bundle of e-mails. "These e-mails are to be correlated with the documents which have come to the notice of the CBI."
To this, Sibal replied, "You cannot keep him (Chidambaram) in custody till you get an answer to the LRs."
Mehta said, "We sent the LRs long back. I'm not saying that I am seeking remand awaiting the LR."