After getting interim protection from arrest from the 2G Court till July 10, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for more than seven hours of interrogation in the Aircel-Maxis case. It is learnt that Chidambaram told to the investigators that he was not “actually aware of the value of Foreign Direct Investment by Maxis” and he only approved it after the proposal was vetted by officers in the Finance Ministry. He was evasive on many questions posed by investigators, sources said.
After coming out from the ED’s office, Chidambaram said “all answers I gave to ED were already recorded in Government documents” related to Aircel-Maxis deal.
“There is no FIR and no offence is alleged, yet there is a probe,” he said.
The senior Congress leader arrived at the agency’s headquarter annexe office about 11 am and was accompanied by a lawyer. He left around 3 pm for lunch break and joined back with the investigation team after an hour. He left the office by 7 pm.
Earlier, Chidambaram’s lawyers led by Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi argued for anticipatory bail in the trial court but the ED counsel said that they need time to reply on Chidambaram’s petition. Special Judge OP Saini posted the case to July 10, directing that the agency should not opt coercive action till then.
On Wednesday, the former Finance Minister is expected to appear before the CBI in connection with INX Media probe.