CBI files chargesheet against eight accused persons & private companies in Aircel-Maxis Case

New Delhi, August 29, 2014: The Central Bureau of Investigation has today filed a chargesheet in the Court of Special Judge, CBI Cases, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi in Aircel-Maxis case against then Minister of Communication & Information Technology (MoC&IT); Chennai based private company & its then Promoter; three firms based at UK, Malaysia & Mauritius & its then Director & then Promoter (both belonging to three firms) U/s 120-B IPC r/w section 7, 12 & section 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (d) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
CBI had registered the case on 09.10.2011 after the conclusion of a Preliminary Enquiry which was registered on the directions of Supreme Court of India. During monitoring of the investigation in 2G Spectrum Case, Supreme Court of India vide order dated 16/12/2010 had directed CBI to investigate the irregularities committed in the grant of licenses from 2001 to 2007 with particular emphasis on the loss caused to the public exchequer and corresponding gain to the licensees/ service providers. Accordingly, a Preliminary Enquiry was registered on 04/01/2011.
The Investigation revealed that the then MoC & IT had allegedly abused official position & constricted the business environment of Chennai based private firm on frivolous grounds with an intent to force its exit from telecom business and its sale to Malaysia based company. After the change of ownership, the requests/ approvals pending since long before the Department of Telecommunications were acceded to & undue favour was given to these companies after such transfer for which alleged illegal gratification of Rs. 549 crore(approx.) was paid by  U.K.  based company to Chennai based TV Company in the garb of purchase of its shares at a premium of Rs. 69.57 per share through its subsidiary of Mauritius based company. (Total investment of Rs. 629 crores approx.).  Besides an illegal gratification of Rs. 193 crore (approx.) was also paid by U.K. based company to a company of Chennai through its subsidiaries of Mauritius based monitoring company and other software company of Mauritius.

The aspect of the irregularity in grant of FIPB approval to Mauritius based company and the role of the Indian Partner Company of Chennai, in holding 26% equity of Chennai based company is being further investigated.
The public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it.  Under the Indian Law, the accused are presumed to be innocent till their guilt is finally established after a fair trial.

(SK Vyas/Jalandhar)