New Delhi: In CBI custody for nearly a week, former finance minister P. Chidambaram has not only been “evasive” and providing “inaccurate answers” but also counter-questioning his investigators, ThePrint has learnt.
“If we ask him two questions, he will reply with a third one,” said a CBI officer.
The officer gave an example of Chidambaram’s reply when asked why he went into “hiding” after his anticipatory bail plea was dismissed by the Delhi High Court. He is believed to have said, “I am very much here. Where were you (CBI)?”
Chidambaram’s lawyer Kapil Sibal, in the meanwhile, informed the Supreme Court Monday that the CBI was not asking relevant questions.
“CBI asking Chidambaram, do you have a Twitter account? What kind of questions are being asked?” Sibal told the court.
Sibal also argued how even after 26 hours in custody, Chidambaram was not confronted with any documentary evidence that the Enforcement Directorate and CBI claim to have against him.
But CBI sources said Chidambaram had not spoken much following his arrest.
“He remained more or less quiet and even while the questioning was on, he gave answers in monosyllables. Also, he kept repeating that he has nothing to do with the case,” the official added.
Chidambaram was arrested from his Delhi residence last week amid high drama in connection with the INX Media case. The Supreme Court Monday refused to entertain Chidambaram’s petition challenging the dismissal of anticipatory bail by the Delhi HC.
Food trouble
ThePrint also learnt that Chidambaram has refused to eat food from the CBI canteen on many occasions.
“He asked for home-cooked meals but we assured him that food from the canteen was clean and hygienic. That home food cannot be allowed until court grants permission,” another CBI official said.
According to the same source, the former Union minister has been given fruits instead. A team of doctors has been monitoring his health after every 48 hours, the official said.
ThePrint has also learnt that the CBI will ask the court to extend Chidambaram’s custody for five more days.
Also read: Not just Chidambaram, other Congress leaders including Sonia, Rahul face charges too