Aircel-Maxis scam: Trouble brewing in for Chidambaram?

New Delhi, Oct 10: The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up the CBI for not interrogating former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram in connection with the Aircel Maxis deal case.

A bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu asked the Central investigating agency, why former Finance Minister has not been questioned till date despite being named in the charge sheet.

This after the petitioner, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had informed the apex court that the CBI chargesheet points to Chidambaram's alleged role in the Aircel-Maxis deal. Swamy contended that Chidambaram has not been questioned in the case even as CBI, in its chargesheet in a trial court, has indicted him for his role in clearing crucial files.

Swamy said, "There has been no progress on the front (Chidambaram's questioning) even though the agency stated in its charge sheet that aspect needed to be probed."

The apex court has adjourned the next hearing till October 16. The court also asked CBI to submit a reply why Chidambaram has not been quizzed in the next hearing.

Former Union Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran along with others is facing allegations of forcing the owner of Aircel to sell his company to another one where the Maran family is stakeholder.

However, Chidambaram has denied all the charges. He maintained that no rules were violated while granting FIPB approval to Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006.

(With inputs from agencies)

OneIndia News