Chidambaram appears before ED once again

Former finance minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the second time in a week in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case.

He was first questioned by the agency on June 5.

"Another round of questions by ED in Aircel-Maxis case. I remind myself that there is no FIR and no offence is alleged," Chidambaram tweeted after his questioning by the ED.

On June 5, he had said, "The questions were about what is already recorded in the file. Hence, answers too were what is recorded in the file. More than half the time is taken up by typing the answers without errors, reading the statement and signing it! Need to reiterate there is no FIR, no offence alleged, yet there is an investigation."

Officials said they posed fresh questions to the former finance minister regarding the deal and decisions taken by him.

During the first round of questioning, they had said that he was asked some specific questions on the circumstances and procedures adopted by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) while giving approval to the Aircel-Maxis deal during his tenure.

Chidambaram's son Karti has already been questioned in this case. The former finance minister had received relief from a Delhi court, which barred the ED from arresting him till July 10 in connection with the case.

The ED case pertains to an FIPB approval granted in 2006 by Chidambaram when he was finance minister in the UPA government.