The Delhi High Court on Wednesday stayed proceedings against former Union Minister P Chidambaram in a money laundering case connected to the Aircel-Maxis case.
A bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri ordered that the proceedings against Chidambaram shall remain stayed till the next date of hearing. The court stayed the proceeding and issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The Senior Congress leader moved the High Court against the trial court order taking cognisance of the ED complaint against him and his son Karti Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis case. The high court today stayed proceedings till next date of hearing and listed the matter for January 22.
Senior Advocate N Hariharan appearing for the Congress leader informed the court could not have taken cognisance of the chargesheet without prosecution sanction.
The case against the Congress leader alleges irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approvals granted to the Aircel-Maxis deal at the time when Chidambaram was Union Finance Minister.
Chidambaram's counsel contended that the special judge took cognisance of the chargesheet for the alleged offence of money laundering in the absence of any sanction for prosecution of the former Union minister who was a public servant when the offence was allegedly committed.
The ED had raised objection on the maintainability of the petition and submitted that the sanction for prosecution was not required in this case as the allegations pertain to Chidambaram's actions that have nothing to do with his official duties.
In November, 2021, the trial court had taken cognisance of the chargesheets filed by the CBI and the ED against Chidambaram and Karti in the Aircel-Maxis case and summoned them on a later date.
P Chidambaram along with his son Karti Chidambaram, is accused of receiving kickbacks in the ₹3,500 crore Aircel-Maxis deal through FIPB clearance for the deal.