The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet against former Telecom Minister and DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran, and his brother Kalanidhi Maran – Chairman and Managing Director of Sun Group – in the illegal telephone exchange case.
The chargesheet was filed on Friday at a special court in Chennai under IPC sections related to criminal conspiracy and forgery, and under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, reported PTI.
The CBI alleges that Dayanidhi Maran abused his official position to install 764 telephone lines at his residences in Chennai. These lines were allegedly used commercially by Sun TV, operated by his brother. The chargesheet estimates a loss of Rs 1.78 crore to BSNL, Chennai and MTNL, Delhi as no bills were generated for any of the 764 telephone connections provided to Dayanidhi Maran.
According to the CBI, between June 2004 and December 2006, 364 telephone numbers were installed at Maran’s Gopalapuram residence in Chennai, reported The Hindu. In addition, 353 telephone lines were installed between December 2006 and September 2007 at his Boat Club residence.
"It is further alleged that 10 postpaid mobile connections with vanity numbers in respect of nine numbers were given to a private television channel as per the verbal orders of then Minister," The Hindu quoted the CBI as stating.
Besides the Maran brothers, the chargesheet also names two executives of Sun TV, and the then personal secretary of Dayanidhi Maran.