Aircel-Maxis case: Chidambaram gets temporary relief from arrest

Former Union Minister P Chidambaram will appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on June 5. The Patiala House Court said that until then no coercive action can be taken against him. The court also gave protection from arrest to P Chidambaram until next hearing.

The court has asked the Enforcement Directorate to come up with a reply on the anticipatory bail plea moved by P Chidambaram by June 5.

Chidambaram moved an anticipatory bail plea in Delhi's Patiala House Court in Aircel-Maxis case. He was represented by Kapil Sibal in the court today.

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI in February in connection with the case.

The matter pertains to grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance to firm M/S Global Communication Holding Services Ltd. for investment in Aircel by P Chidambaram during his tenure as the Finance Minister in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government. 

In September 2015, the CBI had filed its status report regarding a probe into the FIPB approvals in the case. The agency had in June 2016 also issued a notice to A Palaniappan, director of Chess Management Services, a company promoted by Karti.

According to reports, Rs 26 lakh was allegedly paid by Aircel Televentures Limited to ASCPL during the FIPB approval. The Advantage Strategic Consultancy Pvt Limited (ASCPL) is allegedly linked to Karti Chidambaram.

The Aircel-Maxis case of alleged money laundering is currently under probe by the ED and the CBI.