GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 20th Nov. The Delhi High Court on Wednesday stayed the trial court proceedings against senior Congress leader P Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The high court also issued a notice to the ED, seeking a response on Chidambaram’s petition challenging the trial court’s decision to take cognisance of the chargesheet filed against him and his son, Karti Chidambaram.
Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri, while granting interim relief, stated that the proceedings against Chidambaram will remain stayed until the next date of hearing, set for January 22. He added that a detailed order would be passed later.
Chidambaram’s counsel argued that the trial court had erroneously taken cognisance of the chargesheet, despite the fact that no sanction had been obtained for his prosecution as required under Section 197(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The petitioners contended that as Chidambaram was a public servant when the alleged offence occurred, the necessary government sanction was mandatory before proceeding with the case.
In contrast, the ED’s counsel raised an objection on the maintainability of the petition, arguing that the sanction for prosecution was not needed in this case, as the charges were not related to his official duties.
The case stems from alleged irregularities in the grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval to the Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006 when Chidambaram served as India’s finance minister. The ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have accused Chidambaram of granting approval beyond his authority, thereby benefiting certain individuals and allegedly receiving kickbacks.
The trial court had earlier, on November 27, 2021, taken cognisance of the chargesheets and summoned Chidambaram and his son. The next proceedings in the trial court are set to consider the charges.
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