Delhi HC halts trial court proceedings against P Chidambaram in Aircel-Maxis case

The Delhi High Court has temporarily halted the trial court proceedings against senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case. Chidambaram is contesting the trial court's acceptance of the Enforcement Directorate's complaint against him and his son, arguing that proper prosecution sanction was required as he was a public servant during the alleged offense, and the absence of such sanction renders the proceedings invalid.

P Chidambaram New Delhi: The Delhi High Court stayed trial court proceedings against senior Congress leader P Chidambaram in Aircel-Maxis money laundering case on Wednesday. The order passed by Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri stayed the proceedings until the next hearing which is scheduled for January 2025. The former finance minister had filed a petition in the high court contesting the trial court's decision to acknowledge the Enforcement Directorate 's (ED) complaint against him and his son, Karti Chidambaram , in the Aircel-Maxis case .

Chidambaram contended before the court that the special judge took cognisance of the chargesheet in the absence of any sanction for prosecution of the former Union minister who was a public servant when the offence was allegedly committed. ED, however, contended that sanction for prosecution was not required as the allegations relate to actions of Chidambaram which have nothing to do with his official duties. The case pertains to the alleged irregularities in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approvals for the Aircel-Maxis deal when Chidambaram was Union Finance Minister.

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