P Chidambaram has been in Delhi's Tihar jail since September 5.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram was today taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences or AIIMS in Delhi for a medical examination after the former union minister, in judicial custody over a corruption case, complained of stomach ache.

He was brought back to prison the same evening.

The senior politician has been in Delhi's Tihar jail since September 5, after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested him in August and finished questioning him in the INX Media case. He will have to stay there at least until October 17, a special court said on Thursday.

The court had said that Mr Chidambaram should be taken to a hospital for a medical check-up if he requests for one. Taking his health concerns into account, it also allowed the former Finance Minister to be provided with home-cooked vegetarian meals after the CBI counsel said it has no objection to such a provision.

Mr Chidambaram's lawyers had told the court last month that the 74-year-old leader has no pillow or chair in his cell, which was caused him back pain. The court, however, refused entertain the complaints.

The Congress veteran's jail custody was extended after his bail plea was turned down by the Delhi High Court on Monday. The court said the former minister might influence witnesses if released.

Mr Chidambaram is accused of signing off on a huge infusion of foreign funds into INX Media as the Finance Minister in the government led by Manmohan Singh in 2007 at the behest of his son Karti Chidambaram. The CBI has accused Karti Chidambaram of receiving kickbacks in the matter. Investigating agencies suspect that the funds are stashed abroad, and have issued several letters rogatory -- formal requests for judicial assistance -- in this connection.

While the CBI is investigating corruption allegations in the case, the Enforcement Directorate is probing money laundering claims against the Congress leader. Despite being in jail, he has been actively tweeting on various issues through his relatives.