P Chidambaram (PTI photo)

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Wednesday granted interim protection from arrest to former Union minister P Chidambaram in a case registered against him by the enforcement directorate ( ED ) in connection with INX Media money laundering . The interim protection will be in force till August 1.

The senior Congress leader's role in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media money laundering involving Rs 305 crore had come under the scanner of various investigating agencies.

While granting the interim protection, Justice AK Pathak directed Chidambaram to cooperate with the ED probe as and when required and not leave the country without the court's prior permission.

Appearing for the ED, additional solicitor general (ASG) Tushar Mehta accused Chidambaram of indulging in 'forum shopping' by approaching different courts.

He said while Chidambaram had moved the HC for relief in INX Media case , he had approached the trial court seeking anticipatory bail in the Aircel-Maxis case.

Appearing on behalf of Chidambaram, senior advocate Dayan Krishan said the Congress leader was apprehending arrest as the CBI had said that it required his custodial interrogation in the main case. The counsel said this matter was from the same transaction on which the CBI had also registered a case. The only difference was that this petition related to the ED's case while the other one was of CBI, in which Chidambaram had already got protection from arrest.

