Lies Are Being Spread: Full Text Of P Chidambaram’s Statement In INX Media Case
Chidamabaram said he has not been accused of any offence in the INX Media case and no chargesheet has been filed.
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram made a surprise appearance today at the All India Congress Committee to address the media about the ongoing INX Media Case and the lookout circulars issued against him by investigative agencies.
“In the last 24 hours, much has happened that has caused concern to some, and confusion to many. My statement today is to dispel concern and confusion,” he said.
Chidamabaram said he has not been accused of any offence in the INX Media case and no chargesheet has been filed by the CBI or the Enforcement Directorate before a competent court. Yet, he added, it has been made to look that he and his son Karti have committed “grave offences”.
“Nothing can be further from the truth. These are lies spread by pathological liars,” Chidambaram said.
Here is the full statement made by Chidambaram:
“Good Evening,
I believe that the foundation of a democracy is liberty. The most precious article of the Constitution of India is Article 21, that guarantees life and liberty.
If I am asked to choose between life and liberty, I will unhesitatingly choose liberty.
Why are the years up to 1947 called the years of the freedom struggle? Because to win freedom we must struggle. To preserve freedom too we must struggle.
In the last 24 hours, much has happened that has caused concern to some, and confusion to many. My statement today is to dispel concern and confusion.
In the INX Media Case I have not been accused of any offense. Nor has any one else, including anyone in my family, been accused of any offence. In fact there is no chargesheet filed either by the CBI or ED before a competent court. Moreoever, the FIR recorded by the CBI does not impute to me any wrongdoing.
Yet, there is a widespread impression that grave offences have been committed and that my son and I have committed those offences. Nothing can be further from the truth. These are lies spread by pathological liars.
When I was summoned by the CBI and the ED to appear for questioning, I naturally sought interim protection against arrest from the competent court. I was granted interim protection, the order of the high court dated May 31, 2018 and July 25, 2018. I have enjoyed the interim protection for the last thirteen to fifteen months. The matters were finally heard on Jan. 25, 2019, and judgment reserved.
Now after seven months, yesterday, the high court was pleased to dismiss the pre-arrest jail application. My lawyers, who are also my dear friends present here, advised me to move Supreme Court. On my behalf, they did so yesterday evening and today. They appealed repeatedly to the Honourable Supreme Court to list the appeal for hearing urgently and in the meanwhile grant me interim protection. While my lawyers, all senior counsel, were moving the Supreme Court, other lawyers and I worked through the night last night to prepare the papers. We completed the task only this morning and immediately filed the appeals in the Supreme Court. I was working alongside my lawyers the whole of last night. Today, throughout the day I was with my lawyers following the proceedings in the Supreme Court.
I was aghast that I was accused of hiding from the law. On the contrary, I was seeking the protection of the law. I was accused of running away from justice. On the contrary, I was engaged in the pursuit of justice. My lawyers have told me that despite their impassioned pleas the cases were not listed for hearing today, nor will they be listed tomorrow, but will be only listed for Friday.
I bow down to the orders of the Supreme Court. Between now and Friday, I shall walk with a clear conscience and my head held high. I shall respect the law, even if it is applied with an unequal hand by the investigating agencies. In the name of freedom, I can only hope and pray that the investigating agencies will also respect the law. In the present circumstances, respect for the law can only mean one thing: wait for the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court on Friday.
Some days ago, when I spoke in Parliament, I had said that every judge in this country will uphold the liberty of a citizen. I had said that the collective conscience and the institutional memory of the court as a venerable institution will guide all judges of the country.
As much as I believe in liberty, I also believe in the wisdom of our judges.
So friends, until Friday and beyond let's hope that the lamp of liberty will shine bright and illuminate the whole country.”