The CBI has sought an explanation from officials of its economic offences wing who were present when former Union finance minister P. Chidambaram mocked the economy’s slow growth rate outside the court on Tuesday, sources have said.

“Five per cent. Do you know what is 5 per cent?” Chidambaram had said, raising his palm to show a five, when a journalist asked what he had to say after 14 days in CBI custody. The country’s GDP growth rate has slipped to a six-year low of 5 per cent.

On Thursday, when Chidambaram was produced in court, there were around 18 CBI officers escorting him and keeping a close watch so that no one could go near the Congress leader.

Despite that, a journalist managed to ask him what he had to say about being sent to judicial custody. “I am more concerned about the economy,” Chidambaram, who was sent to 14 days in Tihar jail, replied.

“We tried our best but the former minister again made a statement on the state of the falling economy. He is very witty and has a great sense of humour. During his questioning he was very nice to officers and told us an economic crisis is looming,” a CBI official said.

On Tuesday, the Congress had posted a video of the “5 per cent” exchange with the tweet: “A quick reminder by @PChidambaram_IN on why he’s feared by the BJP govt.”