Aircel-Maxis: Judge recuses herself from hearing plea

The apex court had on March 12 set a deadline of six months for the CBI and the ED to complete the investigation into the alleged irregularities in FIPB approval given in the Aircel-Maxis deal.
Image used for representational purpose only
Image used for representational purpose only

NEW DELHI: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court stating that the probe into the Aircel maxis case was being stalled because allegations are being raised against Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigator Rajeshwar Singh.

Swamy said the petition filed by Rajneesh Kapur seeking investigation of assets of ED officer Rajeshwar Singh, in which the top court had on June 5 sought assistance of additional solicitor general Maninder Singh, was an attempt to delay the ongoing probe in the Aircel-Maxis case.

However, a vacation bench of Justices S Abdul Nazeer and Indu Malhotra asked Swamy to mention the matter on June 25 before another bench as Justice Malhotra recused herself from hearing in the matter without assigning any reason.

During a brief hearing, Swamy said that the apex court had earlier this year directed for completion of investigation in the Aircel-Maxis deal case within six months and said, “This ED officer was protected by the apex court on several occasions. To delay the investigation in the case a writ petition was filed against the investigating officer alleging that he had acquired disproportionate assets.”

The apex court had on March 12 set a deadline of six months for the CBI and the ED to complete the investigation into the alleged irregularities in FIPB approval given in the Aircel-Maxis deal case in which former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti have been questioned by the probe agencies.

The case first came into limelight in 2011, when Aircel owner C. Sivasankaran lodged a complaint with CBI alleging pressure to sell his stakes to Maxis.

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