Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

15-November-2012 10:51 IST

Statement of Shri P Chidambaram

I was surprised and disappointed to learn that a person who reportedly attempted to take some pictures of me was detained by the police at Chennai airport on 13.11.2012. I did not know about the incident until the media reported it yesterday (14.11.2012) evening. Immediately, I told PTI that I had no knowledge of the incident and nobody had told me about it then or subsequently.

I do not know why the police had detained the person concerned. I have asked my office to get in touch with the Tamil Nadu Police and request them to release the person immediately.

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DSM/RS/KA

 

Police detention prompts ministerial disavowal and request for immediate release after lack of prior knowledge. Police detention of an individual at Chennai airport after attempted photography was publicly disavowed by the minister, who stated he learned of the incident only through media reports, did not know the reasons for the detention, and instructed his office to contact the local police to request the person's release.