In what could spell further trouble for the Chidambaram's, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday attached assets worth Rs 1.16 crore of Karti Chidambaram, beleaguered Chennai businessman and son of former finance minister P Chidambaram, in the Aircel Maxis case.

A fixed deposit of Rs 90 cr in Karti's bank account and another Rs 26 lakh of FDs in the name of a firm, Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited, were seized by the ED. This firm is allegedly linked to Karti and the ED said it was "controlled" by him through a proxy.

The attachment was done on grounds that Karti is trying to frustrate the ED's probe and attachment proceedings by closing these accounts. ASCPL, the ED alleges is owned by Karti through a proxy, S Bhaskaraman. The ED has also alleged that Karti sold off a property in Gurgaon allegedly bought using money earned in the Aircel deal accounts in order to frustrate the process of attachment" under the PMLA. The agency is probing the Aircel-Maxis deal after taking cognisance of a CBI FIR in the case. This property was rented out to a multinational firm for whom FDI approval had been granted in 2013.

In ED note accessed by India Today explains the route through which the money was allegedly routed. The ED alleges that a Chess company owned by Karti and his cousin, A Palaniappan, received USD 2 lakh from Maxis group for a "legal compliance software. This software became operational only at a much later date, after payments were received from the Maxis group".

Meanwhile, P Chidambaram has reacted to the latest ED action as "a crazy mixture of falsehoods and conjectures". "I will not be intimidated," Chidambaram said.

Chidambaram said that the Enforcement Directorate's allegations are "intended to intimidate me and to silence my voice". The ED has cleverly skirted the issue of jurisdiction as the only charge sheet filed in the case (Aircel-Maxis) has been quashed by the lower court.

Chidambaram said as and when the attachment order is served, "suitable action will be taken in accordance with law." Chidambaram said that the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) officials, who were examined by the CBI, have affirmed that the FIPB, consisting of secretaries to the Indian government, correctly approved and recommended the case and placed the minutes before the finance minister (who was the competent authority) for approval.

"Approval was granted in the normal course," he said.

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