ED has taken a big step in the money laundering case related to Aircel-Maxis deal. ED has taken the necessary government approval to prosecute the case against former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and filed it in the special PMLA court located at Rouse Avenue, Delhi. This approval was received on 10 February 2026.
What is the whole matter?
This case is related to Aircel-Maxis deal. It is alleged that in the year 2006, rules were not followed in approving foreign investment (FDI) worth about 800 million dollars (about Rs 3566 crore). According to the rules, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had the authority to approve investments of more than Rs 600 crore. But the investigating agencies allege that P. Chidambaram, who was the Finance Minister at that time, himself approved this proposal.
ED says that in exchange for this approval, a case of “quid pro quo” i.e. taking benefit in exchange for benefit has come to light. The investigation has claimed that an amount of Rs 1.16 crore was received by Karti Chidambaram’s companies – Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited and Chase Management Service Private Limited.
The agency made these allegations
The agency alleges that the money of these companies was also used for P. Chidambaram. It is also claimed that the matter of exchange of money between father and son has come to light in the investigation. ED had attached alleged illegal earnings of Rs 1.16 crore in 2017. Chargesheet was also filed under PMLA in 2018. On November 27, 2021, the court took cognizance of the allegations of money laundering.
On November 6, 2024, the Supreme Court had said in a decision that if a case is to be prosecuted against any former or current government official, then it will be necessary to take sanction for prosecution under Section 197 of CrPC. After this decision, ED also sought approval against P. Chidambaram and now after getting the approval, it has been presented in the court.
Now ED says that after getting the approval, the legal hurdles in the trial will be removed and the hearing of the case will be faster.
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