{"id":4629,"date":"2014-10-18T06:35:29","date_gmt":"2014-10-18T06:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/indialegalonline.com\/?p=4629"},"modified":"2017-10-16T12:20:20","modified_gmt":"2017-10-16T06:50:20","slug":"double-trouble","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indialegallive.com\/cover-story-articles\/lead-updates\/double-trouble\/","title":{"rendered":"Double trouble"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u00a0Fortunes often change when regimes change. This holds true for former finance minister P Chidambaram and his wife, Nalini Chidambaram, both highly successful lawyers, who are under the CBI\u2019s scanner for their alleged roles in two separate multi-crore scams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While Chidambaram\u2019s links with brothers Dayanidhi and Kalanithi Maran, both accu-sed in the Aircel-Maxis deal, are under the scanner, in the case of Nalini, it is her association with Sudipta Sen, prime accused in the Saradha chit fund scam, that is the focus.<\/span><\/p>\n It is no coincidence that though these allegations against the couple came to light in the last two years of UPA-II\u2019s regime, the CBI kept dragging its feet over them. But with a change in government, it has started a preliminary investigation into these matters.<\/span> According to the CBI chargesheet, Dayanidhi misused his authority as telecom minister\u2014from May 26, 2004, to May 13, 2007\u2014to force businessman C Sivasankaran to sell off his telecom company, Aircel, to <\/span> Since the Aircel-Maxis deal involved selling off stakes to foreign companies, it required the approval of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). This board was headed by finance minister Chidambaram, who cleared the deal.<\/span><\/p>\nVESTED INTERESTS?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\nIn 2012, the CBI hinted at Chidam-baram\u2019s role when it was probing the 2G scam and ferreting out information on the Maran brothers and their Aircel-Maxis deal. This controversial deal took place when Dayanidhi and Chidambaram headed the telecom and finance ministries, respectively, during UPA-I\u2019s tenure between 2005-2006.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nT Ananda Krishnan, a Malaysia-based business tycoon. Krishnan was a close business partner and family friend of the Marans. <\/span>
\nSoon after the deal, Krishnan\u2019s companies invested around Rs. 600 crore in Marans\u2019 companies. The CBI alleged it was a \u201cbribe amount\u201d for the Aircel-Maxis deal.<\/span>
\nThe CBI also chargesheeted Dayanidhi\u2019s brother, Kalanithi, along with Krishnan, Malaysian national Augustus Ralph Marshall and four firms. These firms were Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd, Maxis Communication Berhad, South Asia Entertainment Holding Ltd and Astro All Asia Network PLC in the Aircel-Maxis case. The case has now gone for trial in the 2G Special Court of OP Saini.<\/span><\/p>\n