Trial court gives P Chidambaram brief relief in Aircel-Maxis case

Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram knocked on the doors of Delhi High Court and Trial Court on Wednesday, seeking protection from arrest in the INX Media and Aircel-Maxis money laundering cases, respectively.

While he was granted interim relief by the Trial court in Aircel-Maxis case, High Court deferred the hearing to 10:30 am on Thursday just 30 minutes before the CBI asked Chidambaram to appear before the investigating officer in the INX Media case.

In both cases, the probe agencies have asked him to join the investigations. In both cases – the Aircel-Maxis deal of Rs 3,500 crore and INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore — Chidambaram's role has come under the scanner as Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance was granted to the two ventures during his tenure as Finance Minister, in which alleged irregularities have been found.

The Enforcement Directorate had summoned Chidambaram to appear before the investigating officer in Aircel-Maxis money laundering case on May 30 but as he sought more time, the agency deferred the date to June 5.