Lagatar24 Desk
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday stayed the trial court proceedings in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case involving senior Congress leader P Chidambaram and his son, Karti Chidambaram. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri issued the stay order, deferring the proceedings until the next hearing scheduled for January 2025.
Chidambaram had approached the High Court, contesting the trial court’s decision to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet without obtaining the mandatory sanction required for prosecuting him as a public servant.
Arguments Presented in Court
•Chidambaram’s Petition: The former Finance Minister argued that the trial court acted without requisite sanction, which is mandatory for prosecuting a public servant for acts performed during official duties.
•ED’s Defense: The Enforcement Directorate contended that no sanction was needed as the allegations pertained to acts unrelated to Chidambaram’s ministerial responsibilities.
Case Overview
The Aircel-Maxis case pertains to alleged irregularities in granting Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approvals for the Aircel-Maxis deal during Chidambaram’s tenure as Finance Minister. The ED has alleged violations of FDI norms and accused Chidambaram and his son of money laundering.
The High Court’s decision provides temporary relief to the Chidambarams, with the case now set for its next hearing in January 2025.
