Enforcement Directorate issues summons to Karti Chidambaram

NEW DELHI: ED has issued summons to Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P Chidamabram, in connection with its money laundering probe in the Aircel-Maxis deal of the 2G scam.

Officials said the agency had issued a notice to Karti to present himself in person or through an authorised representative and submit personal financial documents and those related to a firm this week but it is understood Karti sought more time to reply.

The agency has granted him fresh time to submit documents within the first fortnight of this month.

This is the first time that a notice has been issued to Karti in the case which is being investigated since over an year.

Sources said the summons have been issued by the Investigating Officer of the case and Deputy Director Rajeshwar Singh.

The probe pertains to firms identified as Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited and Chess Global Advisory Services Pvt Ltd, where Karti had been a director, and a few others for alleged violations under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The agency, along with the I-T department, had conducted search and seizure operations on the business premises of Chess Global firm in Chennai in the presence of Karti last December.

While Karti has denied any wrongdoing and has reiterated his cooperation with probe agencies, his father P Chidambaram had accused the government of launching a "malicious onslaught" against his family.

"If the government wishes to target me, they should do so directly, not harass friends of my son who carry on their own businesses and have nothing to do with politics," the Congress leader had said.