A Special CBI Court on Thursday sent former finance minister P Chidambaram to Tihar jail in the INX Media corruption case.

Special Judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar sent Chidambaram to 14-day judicial custody till September 19. The court allowed him to carry his medicines to jail.

Considering that he has Z-security, the court directed Chidambaram be kept in a separate cell in the jail. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured that there will be adequate security for Chidambaram in jail.

With regard to Chidambaram's plea seeking to surrender in the money laundering case, the court issued a notice to Enforcement Directorate.

Earlier in the day, Solicitor General argued that a person of the influence of Chidamabaram could influence banks, "This is a case of great magnitude, a serious case of corruption can affect the economy of the country and probity in public life."

Arguing on behalf of Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal said, "CBI has argued that Chidambaram is a powerful and public person and could have significant influence over the witnesses, potential to tamper with evidence."

Sibal said evidence against Chidambaram is mostly documentary evidence and how can it be tampered with?

Chidambaram, 73, was produced before a Delhi court on Thursday after the expiry of his 2-day CBI custody in the case. Chidambaram's 15-day CBI custody, ordered by the special court in five spells, which started after his arrest on August 21 night, ends today.

(With inputs from PTI)

First Published:Sept 5, 2019 5:37 PM IST