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In Aircel-Maxis case, Chidambaram named as accused in chargesheet

In Aircel-Maxis case, Chidambaram named as accused in chargesheet

Oct 25, 2018
05:57 pm

What's the story

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday named former Union Minister P Chidambaram as accused no. 1 in the Aircel-Maxis case. The senior Congress leader's son Karti and his accountant Bhaskar Raman were also mentioned in the chargesheet. The agency named nine people in the chargesheet and CBI special judge OP Saini has fixed November 26 for consideration of the charge sheet. Here's more.

Information

Backstory: What is the controversial Aircel-Maxis case

In 2006, Malaysia-based Maxis Communication bought 74% stake in Indian telecom company Aircel. The then Finance Minister P Chidambaram had given the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance for the Rs. 3,500 crore deal to go through.

ED findings

Chidambaram abused his powers as Finance Minister, ED finds

The ED claimed as Finance Minister, Chidambaram had power to approve foreign investment up to Rs. 600 crore, and for any amount above that he needed to run it through Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs. The agency's said it was "wrongly projected as an investment of Rs. 180 crore so that it need not be sent to the CCEA to avoid a detailed scrutiny".

Details

SC ordered agencies to finish probe in six months

Notably, on March 12 this year, the Supreme Court ordered agencies, CBI and ED, to complete investigation in 2G spectrum allocation cases, including the Aircel Maxis alleged money laundering case, in six months. The ED said charges were filed after investigating emails on Karti Chidambaram's digital devices. It alleged crimes were committed in the guise of business between Maxis group and Karti's companies.

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Chidambarams have denied charges, called it political vendetta

Facing charges of corruption, Chidambaram has cried conspiracy. He alleged political vendetta by NDA government. The father-son duo has been given immunity from arrest by a Delhi Court till November 1.