ED registers graft cases against Marans over 2G licensing
08 Feb 2012
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday registered cases against former union telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanidhi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the 2G spectrum issue.
An illegal gratification of Rs550 crore was allegedly received by the Marans in the Aircel-Maxis deal in the garb of share premium invested in Sun Direct TV (where Kalanidhi is the managing director) by Maxis Communication, owned by Malaysian tycoon T Anantha Krishnan.
The case also names Ralph Marshal of the Maxis Group.
Maran had quit from the Cabinet last year after allegations were made that he had favoured Malaysia's Maxis over Aircel in the grant of telecom licences in 2004-05.
The ED case states that Maxis invested Rs550 crore in Sun TV and Sun DTH in return for a stake in Aircel. The process of granting a 2G licence to Aircel was deliberately held up till an agreement was signed between Maxis and the promoters of Aircel for ownership change.
The case also refers to charges of excess spectrum hoarding by Bharti Cellular, Vodafone Essar, Hutchison Max and Sterling Cellular.
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