A Delhi Court has extended the judicial custody of former Union Finance Minister's son Karthi, who was arrested dramatically by the CBI at Chennai Airport upon his return from London, by five days.

Chidambaram Junior was arrested in connection with his role in transferring of ‘huge foreign funds’ into his INX Media during the term of his father as Union Finance Minister from 2004-14 (when the Congress-led UPA was ruling at the Centre) in return (as kickbacks) for favours extended to those firms.  On Tuesday night, the CBI was granted just a day’s custody to interrogate Karthi.

After the custody, Karthi was produced at the Patiala House Courts by the CBI.  His parents Chidambaram and leading advocate Nalini, who had cancelled their trip to London, were also present at the Court premises.  When Karthi was allowed to meet and talk to his parents in the presence of an investigating official, Chidambaram reportedly assured his son not to worry and that he would take care of everything.

Earlier, prior to entering the Court premises, Karthi complained to the CBI counsel that the food provided to him on Wednesday was of below-par quality.  Karthi also attempted to speak to his friends in Tamil but was restrained by the CBI officials from speaking in Tamil.

CBI counsel told the Court that the CBI needed Karthi to be taken into custody for 14 days as he did turn out to be cooperative during interrogation.  After hearing arguments of both the sides, the Court allowed extension of Karthi’s judicial custody by five more days.