A Delhi court on Monday further extended the time of protection from arrest to former Union Minister P. Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis case. Special Judge O.P. Saini extended it till February 18, stating that he would not be available on Friday when the case was scheduled for hearing.
The case concerns the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to Global Communications Holdings Services Limited, Mauritius, to invest $800 million in Aircel, a telecommunications company.
The chargesheet filed in the Special Court on August 29, 2014 alleged that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) was competent to grant approval. However, it was granted by then Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram, the CBI alleged. The Enforcement Directorate has filed a separate complaint against them accusing them of laundering of ₹1.16 crore, which was paid to them in lieu of FIPB approval allegedly given by Mr. P. Chidambaram, in 2006. The ED said that the complaint was filed on the basis of evidence in the form of email communication retrieved from the devices seized from Mr. Karti Chidambaramand his associates.
“The material, inter alia, reveals routing of proceeds of crime in the guise of bona fide business deals by the beneficiaries of illegal FIPB approval, in the companies of Mr. Karti Chidambaram,” the Directorate alleged.
