Delhi’s Patiala House Court on Tuesday granted two months time to the Central Bureau of Investigation to obtain sanctions from authorities concerned to prosecute certain accused in the Aircel-Maxis case.

The agency filed a new chargesheet on July 19 against 18 people, including former Finance Minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram. The chargesheet also names retired and serving government officials.

Special CBI Judge OP Saini accepted the agency’s request for time after senior advocate Sonia Mathur told the court that the CBI was expecting sanctions for prosecution from concerned authorities in about four weeks. “Adjourn the matter for October 1,” the court said, according to PTI.

The CBI, in its new chargesheet, said it has discovered two sets of money trails in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance in the Aircel-Maxis deal.

The case pertains to clearances that the Foreign Investment Promotion Board granted to the firm M/S Global Communication Holding Services Ltd for investment in Aircel in 2006. P Chidambaram was the finance minister at the time. His son Karti Chidambaram, who is also under investigation, allegedly facilitated bribes in the Aircel-Maxis transaction. The investigative agency is also looking into “the circumstances” in which P Chidambaram, in his capacity as finance minister, approved the investment, when only the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs can approve it.

On July 10, the court granted P Chidambaram and his son interim protection from arrest till August 7. On June 5, the Enforcement Directorate recorded the Congress leader’s statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Chidambaram claimed he was being investigated even though a First Information Report had not been registered against him.