2G scam: CBI likely to quiz Marans soon

NEW DELHI: CBI is likely to question Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran, Maxis Communication promoter T Ananda Krishnan and the Reddys of Apollo Hospitals, as it cross-checks the statement of serial entrepreneur C Sivasankaran, recorded under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Dayanidhi Maran quit as Textiles Minister on Thursday, a day after CBI told the Supreme Court that it was looking into allegations that during his stint as telecom minister he had arm-twisted Sivasankaran into selling his entire stake in Aircel to Maxis, a company owned by a family friend of the Marans, in 2006.

In return, Anand Krishnan invested over Rs 600 crore in Sun Direct TV network, a venture promoted by the Maran family. As part of verifying various points made by Sivasankaran in his statement, CBI is looking into documents of the Department of Telecom pertaining to the Aircel-Maxis deal, bank statements and correspondence among main players involved in the transaction. As part of this exercise CBI is likely to cross examine all relevant persons. “We will question all the relevant witnesses in the matter.
This could take place anywhere,’’ a senior CBI official said on condition of anonymity. Siva in his statement had alleged that Dayanidhi Maran deliberately sat on Aircel’s applications for 13 new UASL licences, as well as its request to extend the deadline for meeting the conditions stipulated by the Department of Telecom while considering its application for the Madhya Pradesh circle.