The Delhi High Court has refused to grant any protection from arrest to former finance minister P Chidambaram in the INX media case. (File Photo)

Refusing to pass an order, the Supreme Court has said Congress leader P Chidambaram's plea challenging the Delhi High Court order dismissing his petition for pre-arrest bail in the INX media case will be put before the CJI to consider for urgent listing.

The CBI, meanwhile, continues its efforts to locate P Chidambaram even as the former Union finance minister's legal team asked the agency not to take any coercive action against him. The ED has also issued a lookout notice against Chidambaram.

Here are the Updates in the INX Media case:

5.58 am: Karthi Chidambaram thanked Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for their support. He said, "Thanks to Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for all the support. Officials do not have the courage to close cases. I have been raided four times and there has been nothing found. I have no connection to INX media."

He also added that this has been done to divert the attention of the people from the Kashmir issue.

5:52 am: Karthi Chidambaram arrives at Chennai airport

5.40 am: Karti Chidambaram on P Chidambaram arrested by CBI, in Chennai: This has been done only to create a spectacle on TV & to tarnish the image of Congress party & the former Finance & Home Minister. This is completely trumped-up case in which he has absolutely no connection. We will fight this out politically & legally.

"This is a totally vindictive and malicious act, done by a pliant agency. This is only done to settle political scores. There was absolutely no necessity to have done this," said Karthi Chidambaram..

5.30 am: Karthi Chidambaram, son of P Chidambaram, leaves residence

11.35 pm: Karti Chidambram likely to take the 6:10 am flight from Chennai to Delhi

11.35 pm: Congress tweets full text of P Chidambaram's press briefing.

Press Statement by Shri @PChidambaram_IN on the persecution & vendetta politics by the Modi govt. #BJPVendettaPolitics pic.twitter.com/5ulUhfHXFb Congress (@INCIndia) August 21, 2019

11.30 pm: Medical tests of P Chidambaram conducted inside CBI headquarters, say CBI Sources.

11.15 pm: Chidambaram is inside the interrogation room of Economic Offence Wing of CBI.

11 pm: The CBI will give Chidambaram adequate time to rest/sleep after questioning him for some time . He will spend the night in a lockup at CBI HQ, according to sources.

His medical examination will be conducted either at the headquarters or at a hospital and will be produced in the court on Thursday.

Security has been beefed up to prevent protests.

A call will be taken on Thursday morning and if required Delhi Police will be asked to scale down the security. Director CBI along with other officials still inside.

11 pm: Congress rethinks strategy. Lawyers advise against protest since matter is subjudice, so party won't protest and will take legal recourse.

10.45pm: "There is no officer who has the courage to close a file stating that there is no case, when there is no case. Never ending investigations is the tool and method of harassment. For all those interested in the law do read the judgment of Honourable Justice RS Garg of DHC dated 23:3:2018 particularly para 50," tweets Karti Chidambaram.

There is no officer who has the courage to close a file stating that there is no case, when there is no case. Never ending investigations is the tool and method of harassment https://t.co/vfKEucec8P Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) August 21, 2019

For all those interested in the law do read the judgment of Honourable Justice RS Garg of DHC dated 23:3:2018 particularly para 50. Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) August 21, 2019

10.40pm: "The shameless witch-hunt & unheard of abuse of CBI/ED by Modi Govt 2.0 is playing on every TV screen in India. It’s a sham and shame that democracy stands dead in the hands of the BJP," says Congress's Randeep Singh Surjewala.

The shameless witch-hunt & unheard of abuse of CBI/ED by Modi Govt 2.0 is playing on every TV screen in India.



It’s a sham and shame that democracy stands dead in the hands of the BJP. https://t.co/D0BoqhRr3l Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) August 21, 2019

10.40pm: "Karma catches up, irrespective of your might or wealth at your disposal!," tweetes BJP's Anantkumar Hegde.

10.35pm: Chidambaram has been taken inside a room in CBI. The investigating officer along with other officials are present inside the room.

10.30pm: Delhi braces for protest. Water canons put in place at CBI headquarters.

10.25pm: Chidambaram likely to be produced before the CBI Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday

10.20pm: Chidambaram will spend the night at CBI headquarters.

10.20pm: CBI formally arrests P Chidambaram. He has been arrested on an arrest warrant issued by a competent court.

10.15pm: On being asked who is to blame for the drama, Chidambaram's son Karti said, "Yes, of course, all of this is being done by BJP. Who else? You think Donald Trump? No."

"Arrest of my father political witchunt. We would face it legally," says Karti Chidambaram. He also said that his father attended every summons, adding that he himslef has appeared before CBI 20 times. "I was raided 4 times. My father has been arrested to divert nation from other issues. Why aren't they filing chargesheet," he said.

10.10 pm: Chidambaram reaches CBI headquarters.

10 pm: Chidambaram to be formally arrested soon. He is likely to be kept at CBI headquarters tonight and be produced at CBI court on Thursday.

9.50pm: Chidambaram being taken to RML hospital.

9.45pm: CBI takes away Chidambaram from his house.

9.45pm: All protestors have been detained from outside Chidambaram's home.

9.30pm: CBI director RK Shukla reaches CBI headquarters.

9.22pm: 20 Delhi Police officials at former finance minister's house.

9.20pm: Major ruckus outside Chidambaram's house. Slogannering against Modi. BJP and Congress workers clash.

9.18pm: CBI team questions Chidambaram at his residence

9.15pm: ED team enters the residence of P Chidambaram

Delhi: ED team enters the residence of P Chidambaram. pic.twitter.com/P1ZXC5MpIY ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2019

9.13pm: 3 CBI teams and one ED team at Chidambaram's Jor Bagh home.

9.05pm: Delhi Police reaches Chidambaram's residence. The CBI has asked for the Delhi Police's help for some extra force.

9.05pm: ED team reaches Chidambaram's house

Delhi: An Enforcement Directorate (ED) team arrives at P Chidambaram's residence. pic.twitter.com/njJyJydMSM ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2019

9.04pm: After CBI team scales wall to enter Chidambaram's residence compound, they have still not been able to enter his house.

9pm: 2 teams of CBI at Chidambaram's residence. ED team on its way.

8:55 pm: CBI team waits at gate for 2 minutes. After gates weren't opened, the team jumped over a wall to enter his home.

#WATCH Delhi: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official jumps the gate of P Chidambaram's residence to get inside. CBI has issued a Look-Out Notice against him. pic.twitter.com/WonEnoAgR4 ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2019

8:55 pm: CBI team waits at gate for 2 minutes. After gates weren't opened, the team jumped over a wall to enter his home.

8:50 pm: CBI team reaches Chidambaram's Jor Bagh residence.

8:40 pm: ED and CBI team leave for Chidambaram's Jor Bagh residence.

8:40 pm: P Chidambaram reaches his Jor Bagh home. CBI follows.

8:26pm: P Chidambaram leaves Congress office

8:25pm: CBI team reaches Congress headquarters. They were not allowed to enter the office as the gates were closed.

8:21pm: Press conference ends. Chidamabaram likely to leave Congress HQ.

8:20pm: I hope and pray investigating agecies can respect the law, says Chidambaram

8:17pm: CBI team on its way to Congress headquarters

8:16pm: No FIR in INX media case. Neither me or my family named in INX media case, says Chidambaram. He said he was not fleeing from the investigative agencies but was preparing for his case overnight.

8:15pm: These are lies spread by pathological liars. Must struggle to preserve freedom, says Chidambaram

8:14pm: Chidambaram's press conference begins

8:13 pm: P Chidambaram reaches Congress headquarters

07:51 pm: Kapil Sibal told India Today that there's a not a single paisa of a money trail. He stated, "What Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that it's a case of money laundering of "monumental magnitude" is a figment of his imagination. There's nothing which shows any connection of Chidambaram with any money trail. We have been arching this agenda for a long time now. These agencies are targeting Chidambaram since years. It's persecution."

07:15 pm: Sachin Pilot said it is wrong to say that Chidambaram tries to escape. He added that the case is still being heard. He stated, I believe that the way agencies are trying to create pressure, it shows how the government is functioning. If the anticipatory bail gets cancelled it does not mean one is a culprit. Supreme Court will proceed with the hearing and justice will prevail."

07:03 pm: P Chidambaram's wife Nalini Chidambaram has left for Delhi via indigo flight at 6:50 pm.

06:45 pm: ED has also come across evidence where alleged illegal deposits of over Rs 300 crore were made in a single shell firm after purported kickbacks were received by Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in lieu of granting illegal Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) approvals.

06:06 pm: After ED, CBI has also issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against the former finance minister P Chidambaram. The agency has alerted all the airports to prevent Chidambaram from boarding a flight, they said, adding the circular was issued recently.

06:01 pm: BJP has rejected the Congress' charge of vendetta levelled against the Centre over the action of probe agencies against P Chidambaram, saying the Union government did not interfere in the investigation and he must face consequences for his deeds. "If he has done something fishy, he must face consequences. Probe agencies do not work at the government's behest. They have powers to act independently," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

05:53 pm: Using the hashtag #ChidambaramMissing, Union Water Resources Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated on Twitter that inquiry into Chidambaram's corrupt practices appears like misuse of power to Rahul Gandhi. He said, "INC has its own history of standing with corruption and this isn't hidden from anyone."

05:26 pm: Ashok Gehlot said the inquiry being carried out in P Chidambaram's case is not correct legally. He added that he's someone who had worked for the nation for a long duration and investigation agencies are working under pressure against him.

05:19 pm: AIADMK ally DMDK, led by actor-turned-politician Vijayakant said that anyone who has committed corruption should face punishment. Vijayakant's wife and DMDK Treasurer Premalatha said that nobody, "even the prime minister or chief minister" can be an exception to this. "Whoever indulges in corruption has to undergo punishment," she told reporters here.

05:15 pm: Speaking to India Today, Salman Khurshid said,"I have no idea where Chidambaram is. It's five already. Matter can't be listed today. We'll take instructions from the CJI and move accordingly."

05:09 pm: DMK chief M K Stalin backed P Chidambaram and accused the BJP-led central government of pursuing political vendetta. "As regards this issue, I have clearly learnt that these (actions) are happening due to political vendetta," Stalin, whose party has an alliance with Congress in Tamil Nadu, told reporters at the DMK headquarters.

Responding to queries, the DMK leader said, "Chidambaram is a legal expert. He will for sure face the case legally."

05:05 pm: The hearing won't take place today and is expected to take place later this week. One of the lawyers said that most likely the same will be held on Friday.

04:57 pm: The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday asked beleaugered Congress leader P Chidambaram to "face" the INX Media money laundering case and not "run away". Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister and senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar said, "The court itself has said he is the kingpin (in the money laundering case)...any case has to be faced, there is no point running away."

04:31 pm: CJI's bench rises for the day without P Chidambaram's counsel mentioning his petition. Chidambaram's team of lawyers is having a discussion in the consultation room in SC.

04:27 pm: Coming out of CJI's court, Chidambaram's counsel said they are waiting for the registrar's message on listing of petition.

04:21 pm: Chidambaram's lawyers are still waiting for information from the registry. Registrar SP Singh is in a meeting with CJI. Chidambaram's legal team is hoping for a special bench hearing late evening .

04:13 pm: Shashi Tharoor backs P Chidambaram

"It is a tribute to your strength of character that you are standing up to persecution &character assassination w/ courage & confidence. I believe justice will prevail in the end. Till then we will have to allow some malicious minds their schadenfreude"

Well said @PChidambaram_IN ! It is a tribute to your strength of character that you are standing up to persecution &character assassination w/ courage & confidence. I believe justice will prevail in the end. Till then we will have to allow some malicious minds their schadenfreude https://t.co/OoERqVVKTQ Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 21, 2019

04:10 pm: Congress leader KC Venugopal accuses BJP of misuing investigating agencies, "The BJP Govt is misusing ED & CBI for political vendetta and character assassination of @PChidambaram_IN. This misuse of power is highly condemnable."

04:00 pm: Kapil Sibal speaks to media: I cannot mention any case before a Constitution bench. I just stepped in to court to show my face. We are waiting for a word from the Registrar.

Vivek Tankha says that the Registrar has gone to speak to the CJI. The status on the website shows the case is to be heard today. We are waiting for a response. The court can hear a matter even after 4. We are waiting to hear from them.

03:53 pm: P Chidambaram's lawyers assemble in CJI's court room where Ayodhya hearing is going on; likely to mention his plea again.

3.03 pm: Relief unlikely for Chidambaram as CJI continues to hear the Ayodhya case.

2.28 pm: Supreme Court refuses urgent listing of P Chidambaram's plea against Delhi HC order

In no relief for Chidambaram, the Supreme Court has said it is waiting for orders from the CJI to list the matter for hearing. Justice Ramana has refused to hear the case and declined the plea for interim protection.

2.21 pm: Chidambaram again mentions before SC seeking an urgent listing of the plea against HC order in INX media case: PTI

2.02 pm: Govt that persecutes its citizens for speaking truth to power is only reiterating its own cowardly nature, tweets Congress

A govt that persecutes its citizens for speaking truth to power is only reiterating its own cowardly nature. @PChidambaram_IN is an extremely qualified & respected leader, he has served this nation with dedication & humility. We stand by his quest for truth no matter what. Congress (@INCIndia) August 21, 2019

1.09 pm: Chidambaram's plea filed under the defected list. Sources have said the plea can't be heard till defects cured.

12.54 pm: Attacking the Centre over ED, CBI action on Chidambaram, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said probe agencies ED and CBI are being used to target Chidambaram.

Modi's Govt is using the ED, CBI & sections of a spineless media to character assassinate Mr Chidambaram.



I strongly condemn this disgraceful misuse of power. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 21, 2019

12.38 pm: CBI, ED filed a caveat in Supreme Court, asks to be heard in the Chidambaram case.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also filed a caveat (court can't pass any order without hearing the party filing it) in the Supreme Court, in the petition filed by #PChidambaram seeking protection from arrest. https://t.co/9kFEDm22N7 ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2019

11.59 am: Chidambaram's plea likely to be heard in the Supreme Court today.

11.04 am: All eyes on CJI -- The legal team is currently in consultation room (SC) waiting to hear from the registry if the CJI has passed any orders on the listing of Chidambaram’s plea.

10.59 am: ED issues lookout notice for P Chidambaram

10.50 am: Kapil Sibal and other members of Chidambaram’s legal team are presently inside the court of the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Sibal has reportedly asked the court staff to convey his message of an urgent court hearing to the CJI.

Supreme Court Judge, Justice NV Ramana, sent the file of P Chidambaram’s plea seeking interim bail before Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi to pass the order https://t.co/US6vfztYdS ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2019

10:44 am: Judge moves matter to CJI court

Justice Ramana says the matter will be placed before CJI for orders on urgent hearing.

Sibal: It's an urgent matter. They pasted a notice outside his residence at 12 last night. Gave a notice of two hours to appear.

Justice Ramana: I'm sending this to the CJI immediately

Sibal: I cannot mention the matter before a Constitution bench. CJI sitting in Constitution bench

Ramana: I'm sending the matter to him. He can take a call during lunchtime

Sibal and others now heading to the CJI court.

10.42 am: Chidambaram's team makes a statement -- "We have been protected since May, 2018 in CBI case and July, 2018 in ED case. We want the matter to be heard. I should not be arrested till the matter is heard."

10.40 am: Hearing begins in Supreme Court, Kapil Sibal mentions case

10.30 am: Chidambaram's legal team has reached the Supreme Court and are inside courtroom No. 3. There are four senior lawyers for Chidambaram's legal help -- Kapil Sibal, Vivek Tankha, Salman Khurshid and Dayan Krishnan. They will mention the matter as soon as judges arrive.

10.20 am: India Today accesses Chidambaram's plea

In his plea to the Supreme Court, Chidambaram has said that the high court order denying him bail is unjust and against the law. The plea mentions that none of the three grounds to deny bail were made out: there is no allegation that the petitioner [Chidambaram] is likely to flee justice; or that the petitioner is likely to influence the witnesses; or that the petitioner is likely to tamper with the evidence.

10.06 am: Extremely unfair, says senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid on CBI action against Chidambaram.

Senior lawyer and Congress leader Salman Khurshid, on being asked 'how do you see the CBI action?': Extremely unfair. #PChidamabaram pic.twitter.com/BOM8IQI0M0 ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2019

9.18 am: CBI, ED to oppose Chidambaram’s plea in the Supreme Court.

8.55 am: Chidambaram being shamefully hunted down, tweets Priyanka Vadra Gandhi. Backing Chidambaram, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed the government saying he is being targeted for speaking the truth and exposing the government.

An extremely qualified and respected member of the Rajya Sabha, @PChidambaram_IN ji has served our nation with loyalty for decades including as Finance Minister & Home Minister. He unhesitatingly speaks truth to power and exposes the failures of this government,

1/2 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) August 21, 2019

8.43 am: At Chidambaram's residence for the third time, the CBI team leaves after failing to find the Congress leader: News agency ANI.

8.30 am: A Central Bureau of Investigation team arrives at the residence of P Chidambaram again on Wednesday morning.

Delhi: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team arrives at the residence of P Chidambaram. Yesterday, Delhi High Court had dismissed his both anticipatory bail pleas in connection with INX Media case. pic.twitter.com/t2kvpNfxCC ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2019

6.35 am: Chidambaram's lawyer requests CBI not to take any action till SC hearing

The legal team of P Chidambaram has asked the CBI not to take any coercive action against the former Union finance minister as his petition is to be heard in the Supreme Court Wednesday morning.

The legal team of Chidambaram said the notice did not mention the specific provision of law under which he was summoned and asked not to take any coercive action against him till his petition comes for hearing in the Supreme Court Wednesday morning.

4.05 am: CBI, ED team on the lookout to arrest former finance minister P Chidambaram

3.02 am: Two hours later, Congress leader P Chidambaram hasn’t shown up at his residence where a notice has been put up.

12.30 am: After failing to find Chidambaram at his residence, the CBI team pastes notice outside his residence. Gives him a two-hour deadline to show up.

WHAT IS THE CASE

Congress leader P Chidambaram was in deep legal trouble and faced possible arrest after the Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to grant him anticipatory bail, saying he seems to be the "kingpin" and "key conspirator" in the INX media case of money laundering and he needs to be interrogated in custody for the investigation to be effective.

Former Union home and finance minister, Chidambaram, 73, also failed to get any immediate relief from the Supreme Court which was approached shortly after the high court cancelled the interim protection from arrest, paving the way for the investigating agencies -- Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) and Enforcement Directorate(ED) -- to apprehend him.

Chidambaram got a reprieve from arrest after the high court granted interim protection on July 25, 2018 which was extended from time to time.

Holding that Chidambaram's custodial interrogation was required for an effective investigation, the court said "simply because he is a Member of Parliament would not justify grant of pre-arrest bail to him." Chidambaram is a Rajya Sabha MP.

READ | INX Media case: Timeline of scam that has CBI, ED looking for P Chidambaram

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