Chidambaram says ED on witch-hunt in Aircel-Maxis case

Facing heat from central investigation agencies, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday hit out at the Enforcement Directorate for carrying out a witch-hunt against him in the Aircel -Maxis case.

Chidambaram, who along with his son Karti have been granted protection from arrest in the case till August 7, insisted that he has not been mentioned in the First Information Report filed by the police in the Aircel-Maxis case.

“In the Aircel-Maxis case, there is no FIR mentioning a scheduled offence and no public servant has been named. The ED is on a witch-hunt and the allegations will be answered in Court,” Chidambaram tweeted.

On May 30, the former finance minister had moved the court seeking protection from arrest in the case, arguing that all evidence in the matter appeared to be documentary in nature. It is already in possession of the incumbent government and nothing is to be recovered from him, he said.

The ED told the court that Chidambaram, during his examination, had remained evasive in his replies on why foreign inflows to the tune of $ 800 million — then Rs 3,520 crore — was approved by him on March 13, 2006.

The probe agency also told the court that investigations so far suggested that a “strong prima facie case has emerged, showing Chidambaram's involvement in violations of the larger conspiracy".

The matter pertains to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance being given to the firm M/S Global Communication Holding Services Ltd for investment in Aircel. Chidambaram was finance minister at the time.