A senior IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, Kumar Sanjay Krishna’s name has figured in the chargesheet filed by CBI in Aircel-Maxis case on Thursday.
The CBI filed the charge-sheet against former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, his son Karti Chidambaram and 16 others including Kumar Sanjay Krishna, who is presently posted as Additional Chief Secretary to the Assam Government.
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After completing his deputation, Krishna returned to his parent cadre and he was elevated to additional chief secretary post.
Krishna, an IAS officer of 1985 batch of Assam – Meghalaya cadre, was joint secretary of Finance Department during UPA government’s second term.
Sources said Krishna is likely to be suspended soon. “He is likely to be placed under suspension after Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who is currently in Delhi, reaches Guwahati,” said a source in the CMO.
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He was also posted as Additional Secretary & Finance Advisor, Department of Agriculture Corporation & Farmer Welfare, Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer Welfare.
The CBI charge-sheet also mentioned the names of companies – M/S Chess Management Services Holding Ltd; Astro All Asia Network PLC., Malaysia; M/S Maxis Mobile SDN. BHD., Malaysia; M/S Bumi Armada Berhad, Malaysia; Bumi Armada Navigation SDN. BHD., Malaysia; and M/S Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd of Chennai.
A CBI official said that the charge-sheet was filed against Chidambaram for “misuse of official position”. As Finance Minister he approved the investment at his level without sending the file to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).
“He knew everything from the beginning,” the official claimed.
“As per the government policy and FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board) guidelines, as applicable in 2006, where the total foreign inflow is Rs 600 crore and above, the competent authority was CCEA to give approval for foreign investment,” the official said.
He said that as the total inflow of foreign exchange involved in the acquisition of shares of Aircel Ltd was Rs 3,520 crore, only the CCEA was competent authority to give FIPB approval.
“But the approval was given by then Finance Minister. It was shown on file that Aircel was being purchased for Rs 180 crore with 18 crore shares of Rs 10 face value each. However, they didn’t show the premium (on these shares) of Rs 3,200 crore,” the official said.