A Delhi court on Thursday sent former Union minister P. Chidambaram to Tihar Jail in the INX Media case. The former finance minister was appearing before the court after the expiry of his two-day CBI custody.

Special judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar sent Chidambaram to 14 days' judicial custody till September 19.

The apex court also decided Chidambaram’s appeal against Delhi High Court's August 20 order in the case lodged by the ED and rejected his challenge to the denial of anticipatory bail. Granting him relief would 'hamper the investigation' and the ED has to be given 'sufficient freedom' in conducting the probe.

He was brought to the special court hours after he withdrew his petition challenging the non-bailable warrant issued against him.

Chidambaram has been in CBI custody for 15 days till now, ordered by the special court in five spells, beginning on August 21.

Solicitor-general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, told the court that Chidambaram was a powerful person and should not be set free.

Sibal opposed the CBI, saying there was no allegation that Chidambaram tried to influence or hamper the probe. He added that Chidambaram was ready to go to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate.

Sibal said Chidambaram will surrender and the ED will take him into custody. The court has issued a notice to the ED.

'Why should I (Chidambaram) be sent to jail (Tihar)?' Sibal said and pressed that ED should take him to its custody.

'There is nothing found against me. There is no charge sheet. They say I am a powerful and influential. But they have no evidence. There is no evidence of tampering with evidence. Has a witness said anything like that?' Sibal argued.

Mehta said that the apex court has accepted his arguments in the money laundering case and there is a strong chance of tampering evidence and influencing witnesses and that response is awaited on the letters rogatory sent to various countries.

He alleged that Chidambaram was influencing banks in foreign countries, Mehta added. 'This is a case of serious economic offence affecting economy of the country,' he said, adding that Chidambaram is influential and has pervasive control over things and may influence witnesses.

Ealier in the day, another special court granted anticipatory bail to Chidambaram and his son, Karti, in the Aircel-Maxis cases.