JOIN USForeign nationals and companies accused in the multi-crore Aircel-Maxis deal case are giving the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a tough time, eluding appearance in a special court here.
While Astro All Asia Networks Plc, one of the accused companies, seems to have shifted from its previous location in the United Kingdom after being charge-sheeted in the case, Malaysia-based business tycoon T Ananda Krishnan and his associate Augustus Ralph Marshall are roaming scot-free as the CBI does not know if they have received the summons the special court issued against them.
The possibility of Astro All Asia Networks Plc, registered as a foreign compony in Malaysia, shifting from its UK address came to light after the British government recently returned the special court’s summon to the CBI as un-served, with a report that it “does not physically exist at the given address”.
Though it has been months since the special CBI court issued summons against Krishnan and Marshall seeking their appearance, the probe agency is yet to get any response from the Malaysian government on whether they were served.
The CBI sent a reminder to the Malaysian government in February seeking status of the summons' processing, but it too in vain.
The probe agency is now making a fresh attempt to bring the accused to court, with Special CBI Judge O P Saini issuing fresh summons against them. CBI sources said the summons would be served through diplomatic channels.
If the summons remained un-served again, the CBI will move court to initiate the next process, which includes attachment of property of the accused, followed by a proclamation order, said the sources.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate too has started gathering information about the accused, as it has registered a case of money laundering against them.
The ED recently issued letters rogatory to Malaysia and the tax haven of Mauritius seeking details of the foreign nationals and companies suspected to be involved in wiring Rs 742.58 crore bribe hedged as equity investments in two firms owned by Kalanithi Maran.