The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday got three more days to interrogate Karti Chidambaram in connection with a money-laundering case related to INX Media. He will now be produced in Delhi’s Patiala House Court on March 9. The agency said that it has “fresh” evidence and needed to interrogate him further.

Karti’s five-day judicial custoday was to end on Tuesday. The CBI had brought him face-to-face with INX Media Director Indrani Mukerjea at Mumbai’s Byculla jail on Sunday. She has reportedly confessed to bribing Karti to receive foreign funds in 2007, when his father P Chidambaram was Finance Minister. Her statement was also submitted to the court as evidence. CBI Counsel Tushar Mehta told the court on Tuesday that “substantial progress” has been made in the case and submitted fresh evidence in an envelope.

“It will cause serious prejudice to the probe if further remand is not granted,” Mehta told the court on Tuesday, seeking more time for the CBI to interrogate Karti.

CBI sources said that Karti has refused to share the passwords of his phones, which were seized during questioning, and was not cooperating during the interrogation.

No relief

Karti’s parents P Chidambaram and Nalini Chidambaram were present at the hearing. Sources said Chidambaram may also be questioned soon in connection with the case.

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is representing Karti, said that the CBI was unable to provide any valid reason for further remand.

“It is a 10-year-old case. I can't change files or affect the testimony of officials ... Why custody? I can be questioned morning to evening,” said Singhvi.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court also rejected Karti’s plea seeking protection against arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. According to Singhvi, the ED does not have the authority to arrest him based on a CBI FIR.

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