CBI contacts Maxis; seeks cooperation in telecom scam probe

NEW DELHI: The CBI has sought cooperation of Malaysia-based Maxis group in the ongoing probe into allotment of telecom licences between 2001-07 with former Aircel chief C Sivasankaran accusing ex-telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother of forcing him to sell his controlling stake to the group.

The agency which has quizzed top executives of Standard Chartered Bank, which was the banker in the alleged deal, and recorded the statement of Sivsankaran has now asked the Malaysia-based group to clarify its point of view and cooperate in the ongoing probe, sources said.

They said responsible people in the group have been contacted by the agency recently through email and they have been asked to "co-operate" in the ongoing probe.

Sivasankaran had alleged his applications for licences were rejected when Maran was the telecom minister in 2006, forcing him to sell his company to Maxis, whose owner is considered to be close to Maran and his brother Kalanidhi, who owns Sun TV.

Maran is alleged to have granted 14 licences to Dishnet Wireless (Aircel) during his tenure as the telecom minister.

CBI is looking into financial transactions of Sun TV and Maxis. Besides, it is also looking into various aspects of takeover of Aircel by Maxis group, the sources said.

The probe agency has already registered a preliminary enquiry on issues in 2G spectrum allocation between 2001-07 and is actively looking into matter.