Aircel-Maxis deal: Enforcement Directorate notice to Karti firm officers

New Delhi: The ED on Monday issued summons to two directors of a firm said to be owned by Karti Chidambaram, son of former finance minister P. Chidambaram, as part of its ongoing investigation of the Aircel-Maxis case.

It has also been alleged that the company controlled by Mr Karti Chidambaram had benefited by earning huge profits during the sale of Aircel, they added. Both directors are expected to appear before the agency next month. The CBI has already recorded the statement of Mr Chidam-baram in connection with its probe into the FIPB approval granted to the Aircel-Maxis deal by the UPA government.

The CBI is also investigating the role of the former finance minister in allowing foreign investment by a Mauritius-based company, a subsidiary of Maxis, in an Indian firm as part of its investigation into the scam.

The CBI had informed the trial court in its chargesheet that Maur-itius-based Global Com-munication Services Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxis, had sought approval for $800 million, which the CCEA was competent to grant.

“The approval was granted by the then finance minister. Further investigation is being carried out into the circumstances of the said FIPB approval granted by the then finance minister. The related issues are also being investigated,” said the chargesheet.