BSNL exchange case: Maran brothers approach Madras HC to quash CBI charges on them

Dayanidhi Maran’s counsel argued that the foundational premise of the CBI charges against him were wrong.
BSNL exchange case: Maran brothers approach Madras HC to quash CBI charges on them
BSNL exchange case: Maran brothers approach Madras HC to quash CBI charges on them
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The Maran brothers, Sun TV chief Kalanithi and Former Union Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran, approached the Madras High Court on Friday, seeking to quash CBI charges against them in the BSNL illegal telephone exchange case.

According to one report in The Hindu, Dayanidhi Maran’s counsel argued that the foundational premise of the CBI charges against him were wrong and that it was not illegal for a minister to have several telephone connections.

He also said that there was no evidence to show that the telephone connection had been used by Kalanithi's Sun Network.

The matter has been adjourned to October 3.

Background

On July 25, the Madras High Court had set aside the order of the CBI court discharging the Maran brothers in the BSNL telephone exchange case. It also sent the case back to the CBI court and ordered charges to be framed within 12 weeks from the date of the order. The High court also directed the CBI court to conclude the trial within 12 months.

In March, a special CBI court had discharged the Maran brothers and five others saying that there was no prima facie evidence against them in the case. This was challenged by the CBI court in the Madras HC in June, which then issued notices to the accused.

The CBI claimed that the government exchequer had suffered a loss of Rs 1.78 crore due to the installation of an alleged illegal telephone exchange at Dayanidhi Maran's house, which was used for Sun TV operations. The CBI also accused Dayanidhi Maran of misusing his office to facilitate the installation of 764 telephone lines at his house to help illegal uplinking of Sun TV data.

The others accused in this case are BSNL's former Chief General Manager K Brahmanathan, former Deputy General Manager M Velusamy, Dayanidhi Maran's personal secretary V Gowthaman and Sun TV employees, S Kannan and KS Ravi.

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