New Delhi: Former finance minister P Chidambaram’s son Karti, who was put under CBI’s custody for interrogation till March 5, will now have to be in remand till March 9. The Supreme court extended his custody for further questioning. The court has also refused relief from fresh summons and possible arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The court has been hearing Karti’s petition questioning the ED’s parallel “roving investigation” under CBI probe. However, it declined to provide interim protection and possible arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Karti, had forcefully opposed the CBI’s plea for extension of Karti’s custody, saying the agency had confronted his client for just 25 minutes during these five days. Additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta then in response said that the agency needed more time to interrogate him because witnesses were being “approached” and “evidence was being destroyed”.
On which Kapil Sibal said, “We may clarify with an immediacy that we have noted Sibal’s submissions only so that it is debated. If we hold in the affirmative with regard to maintainability of the writ petition, then only we shall advert to the propositions which will relate to constitutional rights.”