Dayanidhi Maran not given clean chit so far in 2G scam: CBI to SC

NEW DELHI: DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran has not so far been given a clean chit in 2G scam case, CBI on Thursday told the Supreme Court and objected to the allegation that its investigation in this case is "less than honest".

"We have said that the inquiry conducted so far has not revealed element of coercion on the part of Maran (in connection with the sale of Aircel to Malaysia-based Maxis group).

"The inquiry prima facie revealed that the Malaysian firm was in contact with the minister and his brother prior to the takeover of the company from C Sivasankaran," senior advocate K K Venugopal told a bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly.

CBI said an impression has been created due to the "misreporting" of the last hearing in the court by the media that Maran has been given a clean chit in the case.

"There was misreporting and misinterpretation of the status report(filed on September 2 in a sealed cover, the portion of which was read out)," he said.

The agency raised strong objection to the submission made by the NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), that the probe has been "less than honest".

Venugopal was referring to the application filed by NGO's counsel Prashant Bhushan expressing doubts about the probe done by the investigating agency saying CBI's case would collapse in the trial court.

"Prashant Bhushan filed an application making strong statements against CBI. It is very unfortunate. We have objection to the statement as we are carrying out the orders of this court," he said.