CBI claims Maran pressured promoter to sell Aircel stakes

Former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran had “pressurised” Chennai-based telecom promoter C Sivasankaran to sell his stakes in Aircel and two subsidiary firms to Malaysian firm Maxis Group in 2006, the CBI claimed before a special court on Tuesday. 

CBI made the submissions before Special Judge O P Saini while advancing arguments on framing of charges against accused Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi and others in the Aircel-Maxis case. Special Public Prosecutor Anand Grover also claimed that Dayanidhi had forced Sivasankaran to sell his three companies to Malaysia’s Maxis Communication Berhad, also an accused in the case.

CBI’s arguments remained inconclusive and would continue on Wednesday. The court had earlier held it had the jurisdiction to try the matter against Maran brothers and others as the Aircel- Maxis deal “fairly and squarely falls within the description of 2G scam”. 

The court’s order had come as it dismissed the pleas of the Maran brothers and other accused challenging jurisdiction of the special 2G court to try two cases filed by CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Aircel-Maxis deal, claiming that these matters did not directly or indirectly fall into the category of 2G spectrum cases.