A CBI court in Chennai is all set to frame charges against former Union Telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran and his elder brother Kalanidhi Maran. This is in connection to the duo illegally setting up high-end telecommunication facilities under service category of BSNL and thereby causing a financial loss to the exchequer. The charges will be framed on October 3.
According to the CBI, Dayanidhi Maran misused his office and installed a private telephone exchange at his residences in Chennai. These were used for business transactions involving the Sun Network. This was done between June 2004 to December 2006.
Dayanidhi Maran appeared in court on Friday in connection to the case. He and Kalanidhi were shown as the main accused in the setting up of illegal telephone connections to the channel.
Kalanidhi Maran and two other accused filed petitions under Section 317 of the CrPC to dispense with their appearance. They had cited health reasons for the same.
On December 9, the CBI had filed a charge sheet against the brothers for allegedly using 764 high-speed data lines for the channel. It is said to have caused the exchequer a loss of Rs 1.78 crore.
Apart from Maran brothers S Kannan, Chief Technical Assistant of SUN TV and V Gowthaman, the then Additional Private Secretary to Dayanidhi Maran KS Ravi, an electrician of Sun TV and an official of BSNL Velusamy were arrayed as accused in the above case.