CBI court summons Maran, others in Aircel-Maxis deal

Former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran has been summoned by a special court hearing the Aircel-Maxis deal, as part of the larger 2G spectrum allocation case, to appear before it March 2.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Court Judge O.P. Saini, after taking cognizance of the charges framed in the case, also summoned Maran's brother Kalanithi, and Malaysian businessmen T. Ananda Krishnan and Augustus Ralph Marshall, among others, as co-accused in the case.

The agency has alleged that Dayanidhi Maran used his influence to help Krishnan to buy Aircel by coercing its owner Sivasankaran to part with his stake.

It was alleged by Sivasankaran that Dayanidhi Maran favoured the Maxis Group in the takeover of his company. In return, he further alleged, the company made investments through Astro Network in a company stated to be owned by the Maran family.

Four companies -- Chennai-based Sun Direct TV, Britain-based Astro All Asia Networks, Maxis Communications Berhad of Malaysia and the South Asia Entertainment Holdings of Mauritius -- have also been named in the charges filed Aug 29.

The CBI has said there was sufficient evidence to prosecute the accused.

The probe agency has booked all the accused under charges of criminal conspiracy and under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. - IANS