The Indian Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned P Chidambaram, a former minister of finance, in relation to an ongoing investigation into the acquisition of 111 Boeing and Airbus aircraft for Air India (AI, Delhi International) and Indian Airlines (Delhi International), Indian media have reported.

While Chidambaram is not currently accused of committing any crimes, the ED reportedly has circumstantial evidence that he was involved in the decision-making process. He was asked to appear and depose his statement on August 23, 2019.

The ED is investigating deals for the aircraft worth INR700 billion rupees (USD9.8 billion), as well as agreements governing the allocation of slots to international airlines, during the 2004-2014 span the UPA party-led government ruled.

In particular, the investigation is focusing on alleged irregularities during the acquisition of forty-three Airbus jets for the two state-owned carriers. The ED has found that a ministerial panel headed by Chidambaram took final decisions regarding the transaction.

The ED alleges that besides the fact that the aircraft were purchased at inflated prices, the European manufacturer also never opened a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India despite a contractual obligation to do so. As a result, Airbus allegedly pocketed USD175 million in undue gains.

The ED has, in the past, repeatedly questioned Praful Patel who was civil aviation minister between 2004 and 2011.

Air India and Indian Airlines merged in 2011, both being significantly in the red at the time.

Chidambaram served as India's Minister of Finance for over six years out of UPA's ten-year stint running the government. For the remaining 3.5 years, he served as the home minister. He was also implicated in two separate money-laundering cases of Aircel-Maxis and INX Media. The ED has recently issued a lookout notice against him.