Continuing its raids in connection with the probe in the Aircel-Maxis scam, the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday raided former Finance Minister P Chidam-baram’s son Karti’s office. Terming the raids as “fishing and roving”, Chidambaram said he is waiting to see “how far a foolish Government will go in harassing” his son. The ED denied the allegations and said that one of Karti’s friends had informed it about the files being in Karti’s office which were found in the raid.
Karti-linked company Advantage Strategic Consulting Private limited was caught with a money trail with Aircel in 2006, when Malaysian company Maxis's application for taking over Aircel was pending before FIPB during Chidambaram's tenure as Finance Minister. On December 1, the ED and Income Tax's investigation wing had conducted raids at 15 areas in Chennai including Advantage and Vasan Eye Care.
"Mr Karti Chidambaram has made a statement. As can be expected, nothing was found in the fishing and roving enquiry. I would like to see how far a foolish government will go in harassing him. I still believe that the departments I left behind have many officers who will act according to law and their conscience," said Chidambaram in a statement.
Earlier, after the raids, Karti appeared before the media and read out his statement. "Some officers of the investigating agencies visited my office today. I was informed that they were investigating 3 firms. 2 of the firms belong to my friends. They were owned by professionals and managed by competent Board of Directors. I am not aware of the 3rd firm.
"I made it clear to the officers what I had publicly stated earlier. Neither I nor any member of my family is a Shareholder or Director of any of the said firms. We do not have economic interest in the said firms," said Karti.
later in the evening, the ED issued its statement denying the father and son's statements. "During the search (on December 1) of the premises Mohanan Rajesh, Additional Director M/s Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt. ltd told the search team that some of the documents relating to M/s Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt. ltd are lying in the premises of M/s Chess Global Advisory Services Pvt ltd, Chennai in which Karti Chidambaram is one of the Directors. Accordingly the search was conducted in the said premises. Evidences related to M/s Advantage Strategic Consulting Private ltd., were found at M/s Chess Global Advertising Services Private ltd., Chennai. However, one of the rooms in the premises was found locked and the team was intimated that the key of the room is with Karti Chidambaram, who had gone abroad. The room was therefore sealed and on return of Karti the search process was resumed in his presence,” the ED said in statement.