CBI Court allows P Chidambaram’s request for home-cooked food in Tihar

While extending the duration of his judicial custody in the INX Media case till October 17, the CBI Court today allowed an application moved by former Union Minister P Chidambaram for home-cooked food during his stay in Tihar Jail..As per the Court’s direction, P Chidambaram can be provided home-cooked food once a day..“..He is 74 years of age … He is suffering from inflammation of digestive tract. In these circumstances, it may be conducive to his health condition that he is provided home-cooked food once a day to avoid further deterioration in his health condition..”, the Court said..The Court further directed that the food shall be duly checked by the Jail authorities before it is supplied to Chidambaram and concerns of security shall be taken care of..It ordered,.“i. To take care of the safety and security of the applicant, the Superintendent, Central Jail, Tihar shall ensure the food received from home is duly checked and then supplied to the applicant..ii. It is also directed that the supply of home food once a day shall not interfere with the rule which allows an inmate meeting visitors only twice a week. Therefore, the food for applicant shall be delivered in the office of the Superintendent, Central Jail, Tihar, Delhi, who shall supply the food to the applicant.”.The Court also clarified that this order shall not be taken as a precedent as a concession for home food is given in the peculiar fact and circumstances of the case and the medical condition of the case..The application for home-cooked food was made on the ground that Chidambaram was suffering from various ailments such as dyslipidemia, irritable bowel syndrome, Vitamin D deficiency etc. Given his old age, it was thus imperative that he be provided with home-cooked food at least once a day, it was submitted..Attention was also drawn to the Jail Superintendent report that his weight had come down to 69.5 kg from 72 kg..The application for home-cooked food was not opposed by the CBI. Appearing for the Agency, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted before Court that he had no objections if an order allowing home-cooked for Chidambaram was passed..The Jail Superintendent, however, objected to the request on the ground that the Delhi Prison Rules prohibited outside food for inmates. It was further stated that if PC’s request for home-cooked was allowed, it would tantamount to discrimination against other prisoners. The Jail Superintendent also submitted that allowing home-cooked food would result in Chidambaram meeting visitors which would not be conducive to his safety and security..The Court ultimately allowed the application with the above-mentioned directions..Chidambaram would be produced before Court next on October 17..Read the Order: