Aircel-Maxis case: CBI allegations 'false', 'baseless', P Chidambaram tells court

Congress leader P Chidambaram has termed as "false" and "baseless" allegations of CBI before a court here that he as finance minister had unlawfully granted FIPB approval to a Mauritius-based company in Aircel-Maxis case.

submissions were made by politician in his rejoinder filed in response to reply of probe ncy.

CBI, in its reply to anticipatory bail plea of Chidambaram, had alleged that he was t cooperating in investigations.

averments (by CBI) that applicant (Chidambaram) had usurped power of Cabinet Committee of Ecomic Affairs, unlawfully granted FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) approval to Global Communication Services Ltd, Mauritius, and had chosen t to disclose facts which are in his exclusive kwledge are denied as being false, baseless and untenable, politician said.

rejoinder submissions were filed before Special Judge O P Saini through advocates P K Dubey and Arshdeep Singh.

It is submitted that FIPB was chaired by secretary, ecomic affairs, and included four or secretaries (industry, commerce, external affairs and overseas Indian affairs), and secretary of administrative ministry concerned.

"Five of m were among senior most IAS officers and sixth was a senior IFS officer of ministry of external affairs. Each one of m had a long and distinguished record of service," rejoinder said.

It said as per rmal procedure, recommendations of FIPB are submitted to Ministry of Finance where y are once again examined by junior officers and n by additional secretary and secretary before file is put up to competent authority (Finance Minister). 

It is FIPB that decides who is competent authority in given case, rejoinder said.

"Once CBI itself chose t to eir arrest Chidambaram during investigation, i.e., from date of registration of FIR in 2011 until grant of interim protection by this court vide it's order dated July 23, or even issue any summons directing him to appear for questioning after December 6, 2015, CBI cant at this st, that too after filing of charge sheet on July 19, oppose grant of bail to applicant of ground of alleged gravity of offence, according to rejoinder.

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Chidambaram, a former finance minister, claimed that allegations made by CBI were "unsubstantiated" and re was need of his custodial interrogation, as sought by ncy.

He claimed that all evidence were documentary and already in CBI's possession.

evidence has been submitted by CBI in support of its unfounded allegation that applicant (Chidambaram) may tamper with witnesses or evidence, document said.

court has extended till vember 26 protection from arrest to Chidambaram in case.

In its reply, CBI maintained that Chidambaram's custodial interrogation was necessary as he was evasive and n-cooperative in probe.

Chidambaram filed his anticipatory bail application in May. His protection from arrest has been extended from time to time.

Investigating ncies such as Enforcement Directorate (ED) have sought custodial interrogation Congress leader, saying he has t been cooperating and, refore, making it difficult to complete investigation in a time-bound manner as directed by Supreme Court.

Chidambaram has come under scanner of investigating ncies in Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore.

In its charge sheet filed earlier in case against former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, his bror Kalanithi Maran and ors, CBI alleged that Chidambaram granted Foreign Investment Promotion Board approval in March 2006 to Mauritius-based Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxis.

Maran brors and or accused named in CBI charge sheet were discharged by special court, which said ncy had failed to produce any material against m to proceed with trial.

ED is also probing a separate money-laundering case in Aircel-Maxis matter, in which Chidambaram has been questioned by ncy and currently ir anticipatory bail is pending. 

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