P Chidambaram is out of jail

Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram came out of jail after 106 days in custody. He was granted bail yesterday by the Supreme Court in the INX Media case.

Chidambaram was arrested on 21 August by the Central Bureau of Investigation-CBI and was lodged in the Tihar Jail.

“I am happy that I stepped out and I am breathing the air of freedom after 106 days,” he said after release.

The bail has been issued on the condition that P Chidambaram will surrender his passport to the authorities and will remain available for questioning. He has also been ordered not to give interviews to media or make any public comments regarding him or other co-accused in the INX Media case.

“I cannot comment on the case. I am going to obey the Supreme Court’s order and I will not comment on the case,” he said.

P Chidambaram and his son Karti went to meet Sonia Gandhi at her residence after being released.

“Phew, at last after 106 days,” Karti Chidambaram tweeted with a smiley.

Chidambaram has been accused of irregularities in the FIPB clearance that was granted to the INX Media group and allowed them to receive overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007. Chidambaram was the finance minister of the country at that time.