2G court summons Maran brothers in Aircel-Maxis case

A special 2G court summoned on Wednesday before it on March 2 former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran and others in the Aircel-Maxis deal.

Special CBI court judge OP Saini took cognisance of the chargesheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and Malaysian businessman T Ananda Krishnan, among others.

The CBI had earlier said there was sufficient evidence to prosecute the accused. The probe agency has booked all the accused under charges of criminal conspiracy and under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The agency alleged that Dayanidhi used his influence to help Krishnan to acquire Aircel by allegedly coercing its owner Sivasankaran to part with his stake.

It was alleged by Sivasankaran that Dayanidhi favoured the Maxis Group in the takeover of his company. In return, he further alleged, the company made investments through Astro Network in a company stated to be owned by the Maran family.

Four companies — Chennai-based Sun Direct TV, Britain-based Astro All Asia Networks, Maxis Communications Berhad of Malaysia and the South Asia Entertainment Holdings of Mauritius — have been also named in the chargesheet filed on August 29.