The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has again summoned former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on June 12 for recording his statement in the Aircel-Maxis deal case.
Mr. Chidambaram, who is being questioned by the CBI in the INX Media case, was quizzed by the ED on Tuesday for over five hours in the Aircel-Maxis case.
The ED is probing the money laundering angle in the deal and has also attached assets of Mr. Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram and a firm allegedly linked to him.
The CBI and the ED are investigating suspected irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance in 2006 to investments to the tune of ₹3,500 crore by Global Communication Holding Services Limited in Aircel. Mr. Chidambaram was then the Union Finance Minister.
The ED had recorded statements of the then FIPB officials who were involved in processing the request seeking approval of foreign investments. While Mr. Chidambaram has on several occasions said all the accused in the case had been discharged by the Special CBI court and the charge sheet also quashed, the agencies maintain that the FIR still stands and that further probe is on.
PTI adds:
Questioned by CBI
Mr. Chidambaram on Tuesday went to the CBI headquarters to be questioned for foreign investment clearances given to INX Media when he was Union Minister.
INX media is a venture promoted by former media baron Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani. His alleged role came under the scanner of the investigating agencies in connection with the FIPB clearance of ₹305 crore.