GOVT Has Given Clearance To CBI For Prosecuting Ex-FM Chidambaram In the Multi- crore Aircel-Maxis Case

THE Government has given clearance to CBI to prosecute senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti in the multi-crore Aircel-Maxis case. The CBI informed has a Delhi court that it has “requisite sanction” to prosecute the former union minister in this case. The investigating agency also informed the court that there is fresh evidence to prove that Mr Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram closed bank accounts in foreign countries after a charge-sheet was filed in the case. The Chidambarams have been granted protection from arrest till December 18. Their protection was extended after the CBI or Central Bureau of Investigation said it needed two weeks to get sanction against five others accused in the case. The former Finance Minister in the UPA government is “Accused no 1” in the Aircel-Maxis case involving approvals from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board that were allegedly illegal. He and his son Karti were named in a charge-sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate. Mr Chidambaram, 73, is accused of misusing his office as finance minister to clear foreign investment deals in exchange for which his son, Karti Chidambaram, was given kickbacks. Investigators say Mr Chidambaram violated laws by sanctioning a Rs. 3,500-crore deal that saw Malaysia’s Maxis buying telecom company Aircel in 2006. Chidambarams have been charged with money laundering in the Aircel Maxis case, under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by the Enforcement Directorate Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram have been charged with money laundering, under sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).During the hearing at the Patiala House court, Attorney Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that they have received sanctions to prosecute Chidambaram.ASG Mehta also informed that out of the 18 accused, sanctions against five former government servants are awaited whereas there is no requirement of sanction to prosecute the other 12 accused as they are private persons. The prosecution further alleged that recently the investigative agencies have also come across new evidences which include bank transactions. During the hearing, prosecution alleged that P Chidambaram is not cooperating with the investigation and is misleading the investigator. Court will hear the matter on December 12.In a supplementary chargesheet, the ED, which investigates economic crimes, named Chidambaram as accused number 1. It also named eight others, including S Bhaskaraman and four Maxis companies. The ED said it had enough evidence, including e-mails retrieved from digital devices seized from Karti and his associates.(pic courtesy to India Today)