Home ministry may clear Sun TV, albeit with reluctance

NEW DELHI:Following opinion from attorney general Mukul Rohatgi on grant of security clearance to Sun TV, sources in the home ministry indicated that the network's licence may finally be renewed. However, the security clearance from home ministry may come about with some reluctance.

Even though Rohatgi held that an economic offence in which a court had not framed charges could not be considered a threat to national security, ministry officials continued to differ from the top government law officer. They argued that economic security was not different from national security as defined by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

"Charges of money laundering are viewed very seriously across the world as it directly affects economic security of any country and Sun TV's promoters, Kalanithi Maran and his brother Dayanidhi Maran, are facing a probe of similar nature," an official said.

Brushing aside allegations from the Marans that home ministry had given similar clearances to media units owned by those accused in 2G or other scams, the official said it had denied security clearance to all such companies where its directors or promoters were charged in an economic offence case. He said clearance was granted to such companies where allegations were only against employees.

"In the case of Sun TV, Enforcement Directorate has even attached the network's properties and not just of its promoters," said the official.

The home ministry took the decision at the highest level after careful consideration of relevant provisions of the UAPA vis-a-vis the offences being probed against the Maran brothers, a source said.

While no official was ready to commit whether the ministry would review the decision if a fresh request came from the I&B ministry , along with the AG's opinion, sources indicated that the ministry was likely to acquiesce.

"We do not give licences. We only give security clearance.The I&B ministry is free to take a call depending on AG's opinion," a source said. However, that call can only be taken after home ministry gives a security clearance, said another source.

The AG has supported grant of security clearance to 33 channels of Sun TV network, saying that corruption and money laundering cases being investigated against the Marans could not be a ground to deny the same.