Trouble for Maran as CBI grills Aircel ex-owner Sivasankaran

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today began recording the testimony of businessman C Sivasankaran, the original promoter of telecom company Aircel, in connection with the 2G spectrum scam, which spells fresh trouble for beleaguered union textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran.

Sivasankaran has been alleging recently that Maran had forced him to sell his stake in the company to Maxis Communications Berhad of Malaysia in 2006, when he was the telecom minister.

Maran is alleged to have suddenly granted 14 licences to Dishnet Wireless, which later became Aircel, during his tenure as telecom minister - but only after Sivasankaran had exited.

Sivasankaran has alleged that his applications for licences were rejected till Maxis came into the picture. The owner of Maxis is reported to be close to Maran and his brother Kalanidhi, who owns Sun TV.

The Marans belong to the DMK party, which is in the thick of the scam. Both party patriarch M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi and former telecom minister A Raja, also from the DMK, are under arrest.

Aircel is a joint venture between Maxis and Sindya Securities & Investments Pvt Ltd, in which the Reddy family of Chennai own 26 per cent, with Maxis Communications holding the remaining 74 per cent.
 
The mobile operator has licences for all 23 telecom circles in the country.