NEW DELHI: The alleged involvement of P Chidambaram’s son Karti Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis scam on Tuesday rocked both Houses of Parliament as AIADMK members made a strong demand for his arrest, waving placards and trooping into the Well.
The day’s proceedings were virtually washed out amid repeated disruptions by the AIADMK members as they launched a scathing attack on the Chidambarams. “Arrest Chidambaram, arrest UPA Chidambaram, arrest Congress Chidambaram, arrest Maxis Chidambaram” — were the slogans raised by AIADMK leaders. The MPs flashed copies of a newspaper which claimed that Karti invested in real estate across the world, according to investigations by the Enforcement Directorate and IT authorities following searches at his premises.
In the Rajya Sabha, dy chairman P J Kurien threatened to invoke Rule 255 to suspend the AIADMK members, but it was of little help as they vociferously kept demanding action against the father-son duo. Kurien termed the disruptions “murder of democracy”. “How can I take action? Ask the government,” he urged the members, but they remained unfazed. As the disruptions and adjournments almost paralysed proceedings, both Houses were adjourned for the day. The Upper House was adjourned five times and the Lower House saw four adjournments. A visibly peeved RS chairman Hamid Ansari said it was “unbecoming” of the members and accused them of promoting the particular newspaper which was “not proper”.
“All my businesses are completely legal. All filings are up to date. I can’t be a money launderer if I have everything on record,” said Karti.
Realty, Financial interests in 14 nations
Recent raids carried out by Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax officials in the Aicel-Maxis deal revealed that Karti had acquired a huge amount of money after the Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006. He is reported to have made investments in real estate and other financial dealings in 14 countries.
Dodgy Deals
ED has said it will file a supplementary chargesheet in Aircel-Maxis case after probe into dubious deals
It said Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd, which was owned by Karti Chidambaram, issued 2 lakh shares to Ausbridge in 2011 for Rs 5 lakh. The shares were allegedly undervalued
The agency said net worth of 5% equity share of Vasan Health Care Pvt Ltd, allegedly linked to Karti, held by ASCPL was Rs 102.65 crore in 2009, Rs 177.22 crore in 2010 and Rs 206.58 crore in 2011-12