#AircelMaxisCase: Chidambaram father-son set free till March 8
New Delhi, February 18: A Delhi court today extended till March 8 the interim protection from arrest granted to former Union minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti in the Aircel-Maxis cases filed by the CBI and the ED.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) told Special Judge O P Saini that Karti Chidambaram has been asked by the agency to appear before it on March 5, 6, 7 and 12 for questioning in the cases.
The probe agency said Karti was appearing before the probe agency as per the Supreme Court's directions. The top court had on January 30 asked Karti to appear before the ED on March 5, 6, 7 and 12 for questioning in connection with the INX Media and Aircel Maxis cases.
"Let the matter be fixed after March 12, since he has to appear on March 5,6,7,12, it said," ED, through Special Public Prosecutors N K Matta and Nitesh Rana, told the court.
P Chidambaram, who was present in the court, opposed the ED's request to adjourn the matter, saying it was delaying the case.
"Requesting both parties to expedite the matter but the date is not fixed yet. Put up the matter for March 8," the judge said.
At this, the counsels for Chidambarams, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and A M Singhvi, requested to extend the protection granted to them, which was allowed by the court.
The case relates to alleged irregularities in grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval in the Aircel-Maxis deal.
The CBI had earlier informed the court that the center has granted sanction to prosecute five people, including serving and former bureaucrats, accused in the Aircel-Maxis case including the Chidambarams.
The CBI had on November 16 last year informed the court that a similar nod was procured for Chidambaram. There are 18 accused in the case.
Chidambaram and Karti were named in the charge sheet filed by the CBI in the case on July 19 last year. The agency filed a supplementary charge sheet before the special judge, who had fixed it for consideration on July 31.