Aircel-Maxis case: Court extends interim protection for P Chidambaram, Karti till 8 October

The Delhi Patiala House Court on Tuesday extended the interim protection given to former Finance Minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram from arrest in the CBI and ED cases till 8 October in the Aircel-Maxis case.

The court had earlier granted interim protection from arrest till today (7 August 2018) to Karti in two cases filed by the CBI and ED in 2011 and 2012, respectively in the Aircel-Maxis matter arising out of 2G spectrum cases.

The CBI had filed a chargesheet against P Chidambaram, his son Karti Chidambaram and others, alleging that the ex-minister 'illegally' granted FIPB approval for foreign investment when only the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) was empowered to do it. 

P Chidambaram’s role has come under the scanner of investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore.

The Aircel-Maxis deal case, which emerged out of 2G spectrum cases, pertains to a grant by the FIPB to firm M/S Global Communication Holding Services Ltd for investment in Aircel.

The ED had earlier said that the FIPB approval granted in 2006 by Chidambaram was beyond his mandate as he was only authorised to accord approval on project proposals up to Rs 600 crore.

Karti was arrested on February 28 at the Chennai airport upon his return from the United Kingdom, for his alleged role in the case.