P Chidambaram, arrested in the INX Media case, has requested home cooked food on health grounds.

Former Union minister P Chidambaram will have to remain in Delhi's Tihar jail till October 17, a special court said today. But he will be allowed food from home -- a request he made earlier, citing health reasons. The Central Bureau of Investigation, which arrested the 74-year-old in the INX Media case in August, said they have no objection to food being sent from home and he will now get home-cooked vegetarian meals.

Mr Chidambaram's legal team has also asked for medical check-ups at a hospital - which the court has accepted.

Mr Chidambaram'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 Chidamabaram has been in Delhi's Tihar jail since September 5, after the Central Bureau of Investigation finished questioning him in the case.

Mr Chidambaram is accused of signing off on a huge infusion of foreign funds into the firm as the finance minister in the UPA 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 the funds are stashed abroad.

Indrani Mukerjea - the co-owner of INX Media with her husband Peter Mukerjea -- has turned approver in the case against the Chidambarams. The two are currently in jail, for their alleged involvement in the murder of Indrani Mukerjea's daughter Sheena Bora.