NEW DELHI: Former Union minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram's request for anticipatory bail was rejected by the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, opening up the chances for his arrest in the INX Media case. The court observed that bail cannot be granted just because Chdambaram is a parliamentarian.

"Facts of the case prima facie reveal that the petitioner is the kingpin, that is, the key conspirator in this case," the judge said. Chidambaram's legal team, led by Kapil Sibal, is challenging the order in the Supreme Court, sources said. They are expected to request for an early hearing.

A six-member team from the Central Bureau of Investigation visited his Delhi home this evening, but the former minister was not in.

Sibal, along with a team of lawyers, is currently exploring possibility of mentioning the appeal against the order in Supreme Court.

The discussions are going on in the Supreme Court.

The development came minutes after the high court declined interim protection from arrest to Chidambaram for approaching the Supreme Court.

After the high court denied him relief, senior advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for Chidambaram, sought stay on the operation of the order for three days, which the court denied.