CBI charges false, baseless, says Chidu

Former Union Finance Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday filed his rejoinder in the court of the Special CBI Judge OP Saini, terming as false, baseless and untenable the CBI charge of “unlawfully” granting the FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) approval to the Mauritius-based company in the Aircel-Maxis case.

Though the CBI chose not to arrest him, Chidambaram secured Delhi High Court’s protection from his arrest till November 26. He may move the High Court to further extend the protection. “Once the CBI itself chose not to either arrest Chidambaram during investigation from the date of registration of FIR in 2011 until grant of interim protection by the court, the CBI cannot oppose the grant of bail to him since after filing of the charge-sheet on July 19,” the rejoinder said.

It asserted the allegations by CBI were “unsubstantiated” requiring no need of custodial interrogation as sought by the agency since all the evidences were documentary and they are already in the CBI’s possession.

Denying them CBI charge he had usurped the power of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to unlawfully grant the FIPB approval to the Global Communication Services of Mauritius, Chidambaram has submitted that the FIPB was chaired by the Secretary, Economic Affairs, and included four other secretaries of industry, commerce, external affairs and oversees as also the secretary of the concerned administrative ministry.

Pointing out they had a long and distinguished record of services, the rejoinder said the FIPB recommendations are further examined in the finance ministry by junior officers and then by additional secretary and secretary before the file is put up to the competent authority (finance minister).