ED summons P Chidambaram in connection with aviation scam case

New Delhi: In further trouble for former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned him to appear before the agency in connection with aviation scam involving lobbyist Deepak Talwar. Chidambaram has been asked by the agency to join the investigation on August 23, according to India Today report.

While investigating the case, it was revealed that the file for approval of Airbus went through P Chidambaram and it became necessary for the investigators to question him in connection with the deal.

India Today TV has learnt that the contract to buy 43 aircrafts from Airbus was finalised by a panel of ministers headed by P Chidambaram in 2009. Former aviation minister Praful Patel was earlier grilled by the ED on three occasions in connection with the deal.

According to the ED, when the proposal to buy 43 aircraft from Airbus was sent to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), there was a condition that the aircraft manufacturer would have to build training facilities and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) centres at a cost of USD 175 million.

But later, when the purchase order placed, the clause was removed. The ED sources have said that they are in possession of 'circumstantial evidence' implicating Praful Patel.