The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram to join probe in INX Media case on June 6, the agency said on Friday. He will be grilled in connection with alleged irregularities in the clearance of foreign investment in INX media, a venture promoted by former media baron Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani. Both Peter and his wife Indrani are in jail in connection with a murder case of their daughter Sheena Bora.

Chidambaram, who had earlier failed to appear before the investigating officer, had sought another date to comply with the agency notice. Also apprehending arrest, Chidambaram had knocked the doors of High Court which granted him interim protection from arrest till July 3 in the case.

Chidambaram's alleged role has come under the scanner of investigating agencies in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance of Rs 305 crore given to INX media.

Last year, the CBI had registered an FIR for alleged irregularities in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the finance minister.

Also Chidambaram's son Karti was arrested in connection with the INX Media case on February 28 and released on bail on March 23 by the High Court.

In the INX Media case, irregularities have been found in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Chidambaram was the Finance Minister. It was alleged that Karti had received funds to the tune of Rs 10 lakh in the case.

In the Aircel Maxis money laundering case, Chidambaram to appear before the investigating officer at Enforcement Directorate on June 5. In Aircel-Maxis deal of Rs 3,500 crore, Chidambaram's role has come under the scanner of the investigating agencies as during his tenure as Finance Minister, Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance was granted in which alleged irregularities have been found.

The ED had summoned Chidambaram to appear before the investigating officer in Aircel Maxis money laundering case on May 30 but as he sought more time following which the agency gave a date of June 5 to join the probe. Also in the Aircel-Maxis case, the senior Congress leader moved his plea for anticipatory bail before Special Judge O P Saini, who directed Chidambaram to appear before the ED on June 5. While granting protection, the court said that no coercive action can be taken against him till the next hearing which will take place on June 5. However, the court said that the senior Congress leader has to join the investigation whenever he is summoned by the ED.

AIRCEL-MAXIS

Chidambaram has to appear before ED in Aircel Maxis money laundering case on June 5. The ED had earlier asked Chidambaram to appear before it on May 30.After he sought more time, the agency gave the June 5 date.The Rs 3,500-cr Aircel-Maxis deal was during PC’s tenure as FM.