INX Media case: Delhi High Court seeks CBI response on P Chidambaram plea to defer arguments on charge

The Delhi High Court on Monday sought response from Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a petition filed by former Union Minister P Chidambaram and his son and Member of Parliament Karti P Chidambaram seeking deferment of arguments on faming of charges in the INX Media case.

A CBI court had dismissed their plea which sought deferment of arguments on charge until further investigation is completed.

This prompted them to approach the High Court.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri today sought the response of CBI and posted the case for further consideration on November 28.

"File a short response to the petition," the Court ordered.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Chidambaram, submitted that CBI court had allowed the petitioners to inspect certain documents.

However, CBI has “arbitrarily withheld” the documents on the pretext of further investigation, he contended.

It was submitted that charges cannot be framed while further investigation is going on.

"Despite a lapse of about 4.5 years as on date of filing the Application under adjudication in the Impugned Order, further investigation has continued and remains pending till date. More than about 17 years have lapsed since the period of the alleged offence and about 7 years have lapsed since the commencement of investigation. Yet further investigation remains pending even as on date," it was submitted.

The counsel for CBI opposed the petition stating that the framing of charges cannot be stalled on the ground that further investigation is going on.

This matter pertains to allegations that Chidambaram had misused his official position while granting Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to INX Media and INX News Pvt Ltd for illegal gratification.

The CBI had registered a first information report (FIR) in 2017 for cheating, criminal conspiracy and corruption charges. The chargesheet was filed in 2019 post which CBI is still conducting further investigation.

A special court had taken cognizance of the CBI's chargesheet against the father-son duo in October 2019.

In November 2021, the Delhi High Court had dismissed the CBI's plea challenging a special court order permitting the inspection of documents by the two accused.