Aircel-Maxis scam investigation at 'critical stage': Jaitley

Finance Minister Arun Jaitey on Wednesday said investigation into the alleged Aircel-Maxis scam was at a "critical stage" but refused to divulge more details about the possible money laundering case involving Congress leader P. Chidambaram's son Karti's firms.

He also slammed those accusing the government of going slow in the probe. "We have no holy cows to protect. Accusing us of going slow in the probe is incorrect," Jaitley told the Lok Sabha.

Denying that there was any political vendetta involved in the probe, Jaitley said the government was not influenced by the opposition's stance over the issue that stalled parliament proceedings on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

"Nobody, however powerful he is, will be spared, if found guilty."

He said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had "already filed a charge-sheet into the case and that procedures were being followed in strict compliance with the law".

"As result of series of raid conducted by Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department, a lot of incriminating things have been seized," he informed the members during a debate over the issue.

Let the case details go to the court and then "all the documents will become public", he said.

Raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other investigating agencies were conducted in the Aircel-Maxis case, especially in Chennai, he said.

AIADMK members raised the issue against Karti in the parliament, displaying copies of an English daily which claimed that, as per investigations by the ED and Income Tax authorities during searches at his premises, he had invested in real estate across the world.

The proceedings of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were virtually washed out due to the uproar by AIADMK on Wednesday.

Following the uproar, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the government was ready to debate the issue relating to action against the former union minister and his son.

"We are ready for discussion on the issue of Chidambaram's known and un-known assets. The minister will also give reply. Our opinion is that action should be taken on those found guilty," he said.