COURT EXTENDS INTERIM PROTECTION TO P CHIDAMBARAM TILL JULY 10 IN AIRCEL-MAXIS CASE

A Delhi court has reportedly extended the interim protection for former Union Minister P Chidambaram from arrest till July 10 in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case. The court fixed the matter of further hearing on July 10 when the hearing against his son Karti Chidambaram, in connection with the money laundering case, has been scheduled.

The Enforcement Directorate, meanwhile, has sought more time to file a detailed reply in the case. The central agency, in the meantime, can summon Chidambaram for questioning. The Congress leader on Tuesday reached the ED office in Delhi on a summon sent earlier.

The ED had claimed the FIPB approval granted by Karti Chidambaram was for FDI of $800 million (over Rs 3,500 crore), while he was competent to approve project proposals only up to Rs 600 crore. Beyond that amount the proposal requires the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), the agency said.