Aircel-Maxis deal: Special CBI court discharges Maran brothers, all other accused

In a big relief to Maran Brothers, a Special court has discharged all accused in Aircel-Maxis deal cases lodged by CBI and ED.

Ex-Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanidhi Maran with other accused were charged with cases regarding transfer of stakes in the Malaysia-based Maxis Communications.

Expressing his happiness over the judgement, Dayanidhi Maran said, "I am Very happy, let me absorb this news. It is a big moment for us , let us savour it. "

Earlier, all the accused had denied the allegations against them made by the investigating agencies and had moved bail pleas.

During arguments on framing of charges, Special Public Prosecutor Anand Grover had claimed that Dayanidhi had “pressurised” Chennai-based telecom promoter C Sivasankaran to sell his stakes in Aircel and two subsidiary firms to Malaysian firm Maxis Group in 2006. The charge was strongly refuted by Dayanidhi.

CBI had filed a charge-sheet against the Maran brothers, Ralph Marshall, T Ananda Krishnan, M/s Sun Direct TV (P) Ltd, M/s Astro All Asia Networks Plc, UK, M/s Maxis Communications Berhad, Malaysia, M/s South Asia Entertainment Holdings Ltd, Malaysia and then Additional Secretary (Telecom) late J S Sarma.

They were charge sheeted for alleged offences punishable under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

In the money laundering case, ED has charge sheeted the Maran brothers, Kalanithi’s wife Kavery, Managing Director of South Asia FM Ltd (SAFL) K Shanmugam, SAFL and Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd (SDTPL) under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

 (With Inputs from PTI)