Aircel-Maxis case: Chidambaram seeks early hearing of his anticipatory bail plea

Former Union minister P Chidambaram Monday accused the CBI and the ED of "delaying" Aircel-Maxis cases in a Delhi court, which extended interim protection from arrest granted to him and his son Karti till March 8.

The senior Congress leader, who was present in the courtroom, requested Special Judge O P Saini to grant an early hearing on his anticipatory bail applications as well as the charge sheet filed in the cases lodged by CBI and the Enforcement Directorate.

Chidambaram's party colleague and senior advocate Kapil Sibal made the submission on his behalf after the ED sought adjournment in the matter.

ED told the court that it has asked Karti Chidambaram, an accused along with his father, to appear before it on March 5, 6, 7 and 12 for questioning in the case.

"Let the matter be fixed after March 12, since he has to appear before ED on March 5, 6, 7 and 12," senior advocate Sonia Mathur, appearing for ED and the CBI, told the court.

Karti was not appearing before the ED which led the Supreme Court to pass an order, asking him to make himself available before the agency, the agency's Special Public Prosecutors, N K Matta and Nitesh Rana, told the court.

Sibal opposed the submissions made by the CBI and the ED seeking adjournment in the case and sought early hearing of his anticipatory bail application.

"I (P Chidambaram) oppose the request (of ED). The agencies (ED and CBI) are delaying the matter. The charge sheet has already been filed in the case. And it is only Karti who has been summoned, so the application (anticipatory bail plea) of P Chidambaram can be entertained," the counsel said.

Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Karti, also sought early hearing on his anticipatory bail application and the charge sheet against him by the CBI
After the submission made by both the parties, the court said, "I have been requesting both parties to expedite the matter but the date is not fixed yet. Put up the matter for March 8."