Aircel-Maxis case: We've got sanction to prosecute Chidambaram, says CBI

The CBI is probing alleged irregularities in grant of FIPB approval in Aircel-Maxis deal

The CBI Monday informed a Delhi court that it has procured the requisite sanction from the authorities concerned to prosecute former Union minister P Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis case.

The court however extended till December 18 the protection granted to Chidambaram and his son Karti from arrest after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said it needed two weeks to get sanction against other accused in the case.
 

Chidambaram has termed as "false" and "baseless" the allegations of the CBI before a Delhi court that he as finance minister had unlawfully granted Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to a Mauritius-based company in the Aircel-Maxis case, news agency PTI reported on Saturday. The submissions were made by the politician in his rejoinder filed in response to the reply of the probe agency. 

Chidambaram is being investigated in the Rs 35-billion Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving Rs 3.05 billion.

The CBI alleged that Chidambaram granted FIPB approval in March 2006 to Mauritius-based Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxis. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also probing a separate money-laundering case in the Aircel-Maxis matter, in which Chidambaram has been questioned by the agency.