INX Media case: Govt’s motive is to demonise Chidambaram, alleges former finance minister’s family

As former Union minister P Chidambaram fights a legal battle against his arrest in the INX Media case, his family on Tuesday alleged the government’s motive was to demonising him and demanded the Centre produce evidence in support of its allegations like properties in multiple countries and numerous shell companies. In a statement, the family said they were distressed that the “media has been reporting completely wild, unverified and unsubstantiated allegations” against Chidambaram in the last few days.

Alleging that the government’s motive was to demonise and humiliate Chidambaram, his family claimed the media was unable to uphold “liberty against calumny”, adding that they were hence deeply saddened. “Every person is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law,” the statement said. Stating that the family possessed enough wealth and were tax assesses, it said they do not crave for money and they had no need to seek money in unlawful ways. “We are therefore astounded by allegations of properties in multiple countries, multiple bank accounts, numerous shell companies etc., these are chapters plucked out of ghost stories and one day these ghosts will be buried.”