The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to inform it about the status of probe into the alleged role of former finance minister P Chidambaram in giving FIPB clearance to controversial Aircel-Maxis deal during the UPA government.
"KK Venugopal, senior advocate appearing for the agency, will seek instruction from the CBI and inform us about the status on October 16," said a bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu.
The court's oral order came after BJP leader Subramanian Swamy contended that the agency in its chargesheet filed before the trial court in the case against the deal had said that the role of Chidambaram is to be inquired but after that no progress has been made so far. Talking to dna, Swamy said he has written to prime minister Narendra Modi narrating the developments in the 2G case and sought for CBI probe necessary for Chidambaram's role into it.
The CBI in its chargesheet filed in August, has said it is probing the role of Chidamabaram in allowing foreign investment by a Mauritius-based company in the Aircel-Maxis deal.
The chargesheet was against former communications minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran, and Malaysian business tycoon T Ananda Krishnan and others.
Maran is accused of using his influence to help Krishnan acquire Aircel by allegedly coercing its owner Sivasankaran to part with his stake.
The investigation has revealed that Dayanidhi Maran did not object to the proposal of foreign investment by the Global Communication Services Holding Ltd in Aircel Ltd in 2006.
It added that Global Communication Services had sought the Foreign Investment Promotion Board's approval (FIPB) for $800 million investment, for which the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs was competent to grant approval. "However, the approval was granted by the then finance minister (Chidambaram)," the CBI's chargesheet said.
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