Aircel-Maxis case: ED opposes Chidambaram's anticipatory bail

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday has filed a detailed reply in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case and opposed former finance minister P Chidambaram's anticipatory bail.

In its statement, the ED said that they have come to a bonafide conclusion that under anticipatory bail, it will not be possible to reach the truth.

"It is submitted that in the investigation conducted so far a strong prima facie case has emerged showing the involvement of the applicant in violation of larger conspiracy is unfolding," said the agency in their statement today.

"P Chidambaram is evasive in his replies to why the total foreign inflow to the tune of US $ 800 million was approved by him on March 13, 2016, deliberately and intentionally without raising any objection," added the official statement.

According to the ED, Chidambaram was examined under provisions of the PML on June 5 and June 12, but his examination is still pending.

Meanwhile, the Delhi's Patiala House Court had extended interim protection granted to P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram till August 7 in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case earlier today.

Earlier, Chidambaram had appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the case.

The Aircel-Maxis deal case, which emerged out of 2G spectrum cases, pertains to a grant by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (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. Currently, Karti is on bail too.