ED Places Prosecution Sanction Against P. Chidambaram in Aircel-Maxis Money Laundering Case

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) had started an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in the Aircel-Maxis case. This investigation was based on an FIR registered by the CBI on October 9, 2011. The FIR alleged offences under Section 120-B and Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and also under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The ED investigation found that the then Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram, granted approval to the Aircel-Maxis deal through the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). It is alleged that this approval was given in return for illegal benefits (quid pro quo).

In the Aircel-Maxis deal, the foreign company Maxis had applied for government approval to invest USD 800 million, about Rs. 3,565.91 crore, in India. According to the rules at that time, investments of this size required approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). However, it is alleged that the approval was granted on March 20, 2006, by the then Finance Minister, even though he was only authorised to approve proposals involving investments up to Rs 600 crore.

The investigation revealed that illegal payments worth Rs. 1.16 crore were allegedly received by Karti P. Chidambaram through his companies, M/s Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt. Ltd (ASCPL) and M/s Chess Management Services. These payments are alleged to be connected to the Aircel-Maxis approval.

The Enforcement Directorate has obtained a prosecution sanction order under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (now Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023), dated February 10, 2026. This sanction allows the prosecution of Shri P. Chidam
baram in connection with the alleged offence of money laundering.

The prosecution sanction order has been submitted before the Special Court at Rouse Avenue by the ED in order to speed up the trial in this case.