Home Minister P Chidambaram today mounted a defence against allegations that his son Karthi benefited from the Aircel-Maxis deal. He said that the firm his son works for only provided consultancy. Chidamabram said he's open to a probe and denied any member of his family has any connection with Aircel or Maxis.

Chidambaram said the promoters of Osbridge do know the promoters of Advantage Consultancy. "Questions are being raised about transactions in 2005-2006 when Advantage raised a bill, for providing Aircel consultancy services," he said.

On his son's role, he said "My son had made a Rs 1.8 lakh investment in Osbridge and then had sold those shares to his friend and partner." "My family has stated that they do not own any share in any telecom company any time, indirectly or directly. We have no connection with any telecom company. Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd has categorically stated that it owns no equity in Aircel or Global Communications," the Home Minister said, while making a statement in Rajya Sabha.