CBI raids Marans, chargesheet later

NEW DELHI,  INDIA: Under cloud over Maxis-Aircel deal, the Marans were finally raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today. The investigation agency conducted raids on the residence and offices of former telecoms minister Dayanidhi Maran in New Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad.

Speaking to CIOL, CBI spokesperson Dharini Mishra said the investigation is still on and the agency will file chargesheet only after collection of evidence from Dayandhi and Kalanithi Maran. The CBI is reportedly looking into the financial aspect that led to the deal between the two companies.

The agency raided Maran’s official residence on Akbar Road in New Delhi as well as his Boat Club residence in south Chennai early morning. However, no arrest has been made so far while Maran is apparently not in Delhi.

Followed by formal FIR against Dayanidhi and his brother Kalanithi's Sun TV, CBI also conducted searches at the residence of Sunita Reddy, daughter of Pratap C. Reddy, the founder of Apollo Hospitals.

The agency reportedly carried searches at the residence of Ralph Marshall, CEO, Astra TV and T. Ananda Krishnan of Maxis. The agency summoned Maran on September 14 for questioning over alleged irregularities in 2G spectrum allocation during his tenure between 2004 and 2007.

The CBI has already completed a preliminary enquiry (PE) on the alleged role of former telecoms ministers, who were in office between 2001 and 2007. These ministers include Dayanidhi Maran, Arun Shourie, late Pramod Mahajan and Ram Vilas Paswan.