CBI arrests Chidambaram amid high drama

Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday night amid high-voltage drama that unfolded in last 30 hours.

Chidambaram, who once was heading these investigative agencies while he was Union Home Minister, has been arrested by a team of CBI from his New Delhi's Jor Bagh residence for alleged corruption in INX Media case.

According to sources, Chidambaram has been taken to a hospital for routine medical check-up and post which he is likely to be taken to the CBI headquarters.

A series of drama unfolded when Chidambaram resurfaced at the Congress headquarter on Wednesday evening after being untraceable for around 27 hours.

While addressing the media, the former Union minster said, "I believe the foundation of democracy is liberty. If asked to choose between life and liberty, I would choose liberty."

"All we wanted is a hearing. No one is running away," he added.

Joined by Chidambaram was Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Ahmed Patel, Salman Khurshid, Ghulam Nabi Azad among others.

The CBI, which had issued a Lookout notice against Chidambaram, rushed to the party office to arrest him but the former Finance minster and other party leaders had already left for his residence.

The CBI then rushed to his residence, also joined them was a team of the Enforcement Directorate along with Delhi Police.

When failed to make the entry from main gate, few officers scaled the wall and jumped inside. The rest of the team entered from the back gate.

A CBI team then entered and arrested the veteran Congress leader as party supporters continued to protest.

Earlier on Wednesday, Chidambaram, through his bunch of lawyers, sought interim protection from the Supreme Court but the matter was not listed for hearing.