Chidambaram Gets Bail In Money Laundering Case

SC paves the way for his release from jail after 106 days

- Krishnadas Rajagopal

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted regular bail to former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, who is facing money laundering charges levelled against him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the INX Media case, thus paving the way for his release from jail after a period of 106 days.

A Bench of Justices R. Banumathi, A.S. Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy reminded the ED that though economic offences are grave, bail is still the rule and jail the exception. “Basic jurisprudence relating to bail remains the same inasmuch as the grant of bail is the rule and refusal is the exception so as to ensure that the accused has the opportunity of securing fair trial,” Justice Bopanna, for the Bench, observed in his judgment.