Aircel-Maxis case: Chidambaram gets protection from ED arrest till July 10

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram today got protection from arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) until July 10 in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case, reported ANI.

This came after the ED sought more time to file its reply on the anticipatory bail plea moved by Chidambaram in the matter.

Patiala House Court had directed Chidambaram to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on 5th June. The court also ruled that no coercive action can be taken against Chidambaram till then.

The court has already granted interim protection from arrest till July 10 to Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram in two cases filed by the CBI and ED in 2011 and 2012, respectively in the Aircel-Maxis matter arising out of 2G spectrum cases.

In April, Chidambaram's son Karti was questioned by the ED in connection with alleged money laundering in Aircel Maxis. Karti was questioned for the first time by the ED in connection with the case which is related to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval granted in 2006 by his father.

It is suspected by the ED that an alleged payment of Rs 26 lakh was made by Aircel Televentures Limited to ASCPL, the firm allegedly linked to Karti, within a few days of the FIPB approval, they claimed.