New Delhi, September 5:  In a major setback to former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, the Supreme Court on Thursday rejected his anticipatory bail in the INX Media case which is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The top court’s decision now allows ED to arrest Chidambaram in the case. The Supreme Court also said that the investigative agency does not need to produce the transcripts of Chidambaram's questioning in the court. P Chidambaram's CBI Custody in INX Media Case Extended by Supreme Court Till September 5.

The apex court while commenting on the anticipatory bail filed by Chidambaram, said that granting the bail at the initial stage will not help the investigation. The Supreme Court also stated that economic offences have to be dealt with a different approach. Earlier, the ED had told the top court that custodial interrogation of Chidambaram in the INX media case is required, otherwise, it would affect cases involving Vijay Mallya, Mehul Choksi and Neerav Modi.  Explained: What is INX Media Case and Why is Karti Chidambaram Arrested?

The former finance minister on Thursday also withdrew his appeal from the court challenging trial court’s order of sending him to Central Bureau of investigation's (CBI) custody. Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI on August 22. Chidamabarm's 15-day CBI is ending today. His CBI custody was extended for the third time on Tuesday. The top court will hear the case regarding former Finance Minister's CBI custody. Both the investigative agencies are also probing role of Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister, in getting Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance for INX Media in 2007.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 05, 2019 11:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).