Got sanction to try Chidambaram in Aircel-Maxis case: CBI to court

New Delhi: 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 said it needed two weeks to get sanction against other accused in the case. 

The CBI is probing alleged irregularities in grant of FIPB approval in Aircel-Maxis deal, while the ED is probing alleged money-laundering related to the deal.

Special Judge O P Saini posted the next date of hearing on December 18. There are 18 accused in the case. 

Besides Chidambaram, sanction is required for the prosection of five public servants. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted on behalf of the CBI that "the competent authority in the central government has accorded sanction for prosecution of accused P Chidambaram under section 197 of CrPC and section 19 of Prevention of Corruption Act". 

"Sanction for prosecution in respect of remaining accused public servants (five) are still awaited," he said, seeking two more weeks to get the nod. 

The CBI said that the court's refusal to grant more time to obtain the sanction for other accused "in a matter pertaining to such serious offences, may frustrate the cause of justice". It further said: "In view of the facts and circumstances stated above, it is most humbly and respectfully prayed that the prosecution sanction received from the competent authority in the central government in respect of accused P Chidambaram may kindly be taken on record and a further time may be given to file sanction for prosecution in respect of remaining accused public servants." 

On behalf of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a related money laundering case, Mehta orally told the court that the accused "misled the agency and made a false statement. He suppressed information about the bank accounts in other countries and the money received from various sources." 

"Custodial interrogation is required since various new materials have surfaced after filing of the charge sheet," the ED, also represented by special public prosecutors N K Matta and Nitesh Rana, said. 

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Chidambaram, requested the court to extend the protection of the former union minister, as well as his son and co-accused Karti in both the cases filed by the CBI as well as the ED. 

The father-son duo recently denied the allegations of both the agencies that they were evasive and non-cooperative during the probe in the case, and said the allegations against them were "unsubstantiated" and there was no need of their custodial interrogation. 

The CBI and ED, in their replies to the anticipatory bail pleas of Chidambaram's, alleged that they were not cooperating in the investigations. 

The agencies have sought the custodial interrogation of both the accused, saying they have not been cooperating and, therefore, making it difficult to complete the investigation in a time-bound manner as directed by the Supreme Court.