INX Media case: Karti Chidambaram sent to judicial custody till March 24

Former finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti was on Monday sent to judicial custody till March 24 but he will not be lodged in a separate cell as he had demanded.

He made the demand claiming there was  threat to his life.

Soon after the CBI court's order allowing the plea to send him to judicial custody as it did not want custodial interrogation any more, Karti moved the Delhi High Court seeking bail, which said the matter  will be heard on Tuesday.

Special CBI judge Sunil Rana allowed Karti, who  was arrested in the INX Media case, to carry his medicines, after the jail doctor clears it, and  his spectacles, while rejecting his plea to have home food, toiletries and books.

The judge, however, did not find reason to grant his plea for a separate cell, saying Karti cannot be treated differently from the other accused just because of his and his father's social status.

While admitting that the apprehension raised cannot be ignored keeping in view the social status of the accused and his family, the judge said, "only keeping in view the fact of social status of the accused and his father, he cannot be treated different from other accused persons and cannot be allowed to be kept in separate prison."

Jail authorities should ensure proper security and safety as per rules, he said.

"Absolutely," Karti, who is accused of demanding $1  million for arranging approval for foreign direct investment in INX Media, told reporters when asked whether he was confident of winning the case.

He  has been in CBI custody since his arrest on February 28 from the Chennai airport  upon his arrival from the UK.

Countering the CBI plea for sending him to 15 days' judicial custody, Karti's lawyer Dayan Krishnan moved three applications to consider bail application, special cell with attached bathroom and allowing books, own clothes, medicines, home food and spectacles.

He argued that Karti's security was in danger as his father Chidambaram as Union home minister had dealt with terror cases, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

The CBI countered it saying there is threat to Chidambaram but not to his son, family or relatives and they are roaming around the country freely.

Karti's counsel said, "this gives further proof to my apprehension. Why are you so enthusiastic (against special cell)? This very fact shows that this is malafide, there is a political motive... This is pre-panned conspiracy. You cannot forget Rajan Pillai," referring to the biscuit manufacturer who was found dead in mysterious conditions in Tihar jail.