A special CBI court on Thursday granted pre-arrest bail to P Chidambaram and Karti Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis corruption case being probed by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED).

District and Sessions Judge OP Saini granted bail to the Chidambarams on a bond of Rs 1 lakh each and told them to extend cooperation in the investigation as and when required.

On Sep 2, the Judge had reserved the judgment.

The court was hearing the plea pertaining to the alleged irregularities in grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval in the Aircel-Maxis deal.

On the previous hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Natrajan had opposed the anticipatory bail of P Chidambaram saying that former Union Finance Minister had abused his powers by benefitting a few and receiving kick-backs.

Natrajan had said that the materials which were retrieved during the investigation revealed that Chidambaram had granted approvals beyond his limit.

“The applicants committed grave economic misdeeds, which are hazard to the national economy and are white collar crimes. The malpractices have been committed purposefully with cognisance out of larger plot against the public and national interest,” Natrajan had said.

—India Legal Bureau