ED summons Chidambaram in Aviation scam case

New Delhi, Aug 19: Former Union minister P Chidambaram has been summoned for questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the purchase of 111 aircraft for Air India during the Congress-led UPA government.

The Congress leader has been asked to depose on August 23 before the investigating officer of the case at an Enforcement Directorate office here to record his statement.

What is the multi-crore aviation scam about?

The case pertains to losses suffered by Air India due to an alleged multi-crore aviation scam and irregularities in fixing air slots for international airlines.

The CAG had in 2011 questioned the rationale behind the government's decision to order 111 airplanes 48 from Airbus and 68 from Boeing for AI and Indian Airlines for about Rs 70,000 crore in 2006.

Former aviation minister Praful Patel has been grilled by the ED in connection with these decisions and it is understood that the agency now wants to question Chidambaram on their leads in this case.

Why is Chidambaram being questioned?

Chidambaram was heading an empowered Group of Ministers for these deals and hence it is important to talk to him to know the decision-making process undertaken by the government.

The Congress leader is also being probed by ED in two separate money-laundering cases of Aircel-Maxis and INX Media.