Aircel-Maxis case: Sanction to prosecute P Chidambaram received, CBI tells court

sanction required to prosecute former Union Minister P Chidambaram in Aircel-Maxis case has been obtained from authorities concerned, CBI told a court here on Monday.

court, which furr extended protection from arrest to Chidambaram and his son Karti till December 18, also granted three weeks to ncy to get sanction against some or people who are accused in case.

Special Judge O P Saini posted next date of hearing on December 18.

re are 18 accused in case. Besides Chidambaram, sanction is required for prosection of five public servants.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted on behalf of CBI that " competent authority in 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 d.

CBI said that court's refusal to grant more time to obtain sanction for or accused "in a matter pertaining to such a serious offences, may frustrate cause of justice".

It furr said: "In view of facts and circumstances stated above, it is most humbly and respectfully prayed that prosecution sanction received from competent authority in central government in respect of accused P Chidambaram may kindly be taken on record and a furr time may be given to file sanction for prosecution in respect of remaining accused public servants." 

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

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

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

far-son duo recently denied allegations of both ncies that y were evasive and n-cooperative during probe in case, and said allegations against m were "unsubstantiated" and re was need of ir custodial interrogation.

READ | Aircel-Maxis Case: P Chidambaram, Son Deny Allegations Of n-cooperation Levelled By CBI, ED

submissions were made in ir rejoinder, filed by advocates P K Dubey and Arshdeep Singh, in response to replies of probe ncies.

CBI and ED, in ir replies to anticipatory bail pleas of Chidambarams, had alleged that y were t cooperating in investigations.

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

ncies have sought custodial interrogation of both accused, saying y have t been cooperating and, refore, making it difficult to complete investigation in a time-bound manner as directed by Supreme Court.

senior Congress leader and his son have 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 P Chidambaram granted FIPB (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 P Chidambaram and Karti have been questioned by ncy and currently ir anticipatory bail is pending.

READ | Aircel-Maxis Case: CBI Allegations 'false', 'baseless', P Chidambaram Tells Court