INX Media: No need to hospitalise P Chidambaram, opines AIIMS medical Board, Delhi HC disposes of plea for interim bail

The Delhi High Court today disposed of the interim bail plea filed by former Union Minister P Chidambaram in the INX Media money laundering case after the AIIMS Medical Board opined that there was no need to admit him in a sterile environment of a hospital..Chidambaram, who is currently in judicial custody, had sought bail on the ground that his health condition needed serious attention as he was suffering from Crohn’s disease..The Medical Board, which included P Chidambaram’s regular doctor Dr Nageshwar Reddy, stated that his health condition only required continued treatment and all his vitals are normal..The Board nonetheless suggested that Chidambaram be kept in a clean and hygienic environment..In view of the above, a Single Judge Bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait directed the Tihar Jail Superintendent to ensure that the surroundings of Chidambaram in Jail is clean and hygienic by getting his dwelling cleaned twice a day..The Court directed that Chidambaram shall be given mineral water, home cooked food and mosquito repellant and net in the cell. Chidambaram shall also be provided with a face mask which he may use if needed. Apart from the other daily tests, Chidambaram’s blood pressure and blood sugar will also be monitored..After the order was passed, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal stated that he did not wish to seek any other relief..The Medical Board was constituted pursuant to an order passed by the Court yesterday..In the interim bail plea filed through Advocate Arshdeep Singh, Chidambaram had informed that Court that the relief is sought to enable him to consult and get examined by his regular doctor at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, as he is not responding to the treatment at AIIMS..It was also stated that Chidambaram is suffering from chronic abdominal pain and inflammation of intestines for the past few days due to Crohn’s disease, which he was diagnosed with in the year 2017..The CBI had arrested P Chidambaram on August 21 after his anticipatory bail plea in the case was rejected by the High Court..Chidambaram, who spent a fortnight in police custody after his arrest, was thereafter remanded to judicial custody. His plea for regular bail was rejected by the Special CBI Judge sitting at the Rouse Avenue Court Complex in Delhi. Later, bail was denied by the Delhi High Court as well..Chidambaram was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on October 16 and subsequently sent to its custody..He has already been granted regular bail in the CBI case by the Supreme Court..Chidambaram’s bail plea in the INX Media money laundering case is pending before the High Court. .Chidambaram was represented by Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Dayan Krishnan and N Hariharan. The interim bail plea was filed through Advocate Arshdeep Singh..The Enforcement Directorate was represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.