Aircel Maxis case: Ex Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran, others acquitted

In what was a major relief for the Maran brothers, the court acquitted all the accused in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case.

By: News Desk |
February 2, 2017 5:14 pm

In what can be considered a huge setback for the CBI, all accusations against former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and other accused were discharged on February 2. The court reportedly had to relieve all of them after they could not find enough evidence against them.

It must be noted that former Finance Minister P Chidambaram invited huge criticism for his and his son’s alleged involvement in the Aircel-Maxis deal. However, Chidambaram rejected all the allegations saying, none of his family members “had any equity at any time indirectly or directly or have any investment in any telecom company, including Aircel or Maxis.”

The Enforcement Directorate had also issued summons to Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union Finance Minister P. Chidamabram, in connection with its money laundering probe in the Aircel-Maxis deal. While Chidambaram termed it to be a “malicious onslaught”, Karti refused to have committed any wrongdoings.

Apart from the Maran brothers, Special CBI Judge O.P. Saini also summoned M. Kalanithi Maran’s wife Kavery Kalanithi, K. Shanmugam, Managing Director of South Asia FM (SAFL), and two other firms — SAFL and Sun Direct TV (SDTPL) as accused.

In August 2015, the ED had summoned two directors of a firm linked to Karti Chidambaram in connection with the probe. The ED probe had found that Rs. 26 lakh has been allegedly sent from the firm to Aircel Televentures.

The Aircel-Maxis deal is being investigated by both the ED and the CBI and the case is a part of the overall probe in the 2G scam case.