Enforcement directorate officials on Friday began searches of relatives of former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram in Chennai and Kolkata.

According to sources, the search operations relate to Aircel Maxis case as also to the alleged irregularities that took place while granting FIPB clearances when P Chidambaram was the union finance minister. The FIPB clearance in question relates to clearance to INX Media and its then directors Indrani Mukherjeea and Peter Mukherjea in 2007.

According to sources, the searches are taking place at four locations in Chennai and at two locations in Kolkata. The residence and offices of S Kailashan, an uncle of Karti Chidambaram, were also said to have been searched as also theresidences of Natarajan and Sujay Subramurti.

In Kolkata, the residence of Manoj Mohanka was searched, sources said. What seizures were made, however, was not known immediately.