Chidambaram Takes Stand For Son Karti, Says CBI Spreading Misinformation:- Former finance minister P Chidambaran taking a stand for his son Karti Chidambaram said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be questioning him instead of harassing his son. He further even accused the probe agency of spreading misinformation. Karti is one of the accused in the Aircel-Maxis case.

In connection with the foreign investment clearance given in the Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006, the CBI had called Karti for questioning on Thursday. His father Chidambaram was the finance minister at that time. However, Karti refused to appear and said all the accused and terminated proceedings in the matter had been discharged by a special court, a claim strongly contradicted by the CBI which maintains that the investigation was still on.

Chidambaram further took to twitter in support for his son. He tweeted:

“In Aircel-Maxis, FIPB recommended and I approved minutes. CBI should question me and not harass Karti Chidambaram.”

In Aircel-Maxis, FIPB recommended and I approved minutes. CBI should question me and not harass Karti Chidambaram.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 15, 2017

“Sad CBI spreading misinformation. In Aircel-Maxis, FIPB officials have recorded statements before CBI that approval given was valid.”

Sad CBI spreading misinformation. In Aircel-Maxis, FIPB officials have recorded statements before CBI that approval given was valid.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 15, 2017

According to a CBI charge-sheet submitted in a special court, Mauritius-based M/s Global Communication Services Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxis, had sought approval for an investment of USD 800 million in Aircel. (This amounts to approx Rs 5,127 crore, according to existing conversion rates).

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) was competent to grant the approval.

“However, the approval was granted by the then finance minister. Further investigation is being carried out into the circumstances of the FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) approval granted by the then finance minister. The related issues are also being investigated,” the agency had said in 2014.

The former finance minister had given FIPB clearance to a deal that should have been referred to the CCEA, headed by the prime minister, as it alone was empowered to clear foreign investments of over Rs 600 crore, claimed BJP leader, Subramanian Swamy.

Chidambaram had issued a statement this year, saying the FIPB approval was granted in the “normal course of business”. The former finance minister was examined by the agency in connection with the case in 2014.

SUPRAJA