Aircel-Maxis case: CBI planning to question Finance Ministry officials

CBI is mulling questioning some officials of the Finance Ministry who were part of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance process given to Aircel-Maxis deal even as it plans to file the first charge sheet in the matter this week.

Making it clear that no suspects have been identified as of now, CBI sources said the agency is likely to call them to understand the reasons for granting FIPB clearance to the deal which is now facing allegations of corruption.

Top sources in the agency refused to give details but said they will look into the clearance given to the take over of Aircel by Malaysian telecom major Maxis in 2006 in which allegations of irregularities have surfaced. The sources said that the first charge sheet in the Aircel-Maxis case will be filed this week against then Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran and others on charges of criminal conspiracy and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

They, however, clarified that if any mala fide is found in the clearance, it will be part of further charge sheets which might be filed, if needed.

The probe in FIPB clearance will begin after filing of charge sheet in the case and any conclusion will be drawn after going through the documents and examination of officials concerned of the Finance Ministry. The sources said further probe into FIPB could take CBI knocking on the doors of top echelons of the Finance Ministry who were at the helm of affairs related to clearance.