Chennai: Former Union minister Dayanidhi Maran has appeared before the special court for CBI cases in connection with illegal telephone exchange scam. However, his elder brother Kalanidhi Maran of Sun TV network, also accused in the case has not appeared before the court.
When the matter came up for hearing before the XIV additional special court for CBI cases, they appeared before the special judge. Their counsels have submitted that a few sections in the 2,500 page chargesheet issued by CBI were not clear and unable to understand. They sought direction to the CBI issue 20 fresh documents. Later, the judge directed the CBI to issue the documents to them.
Meanwhile, on behalf of Kalanidhi Maran, a petition has been filed seeking exemption from his personal appearance in the court during the trial. Directing the CBI to file a reply on the plea, the judge adjourned the matter to August 11 for further hearing.
According to the CBI, Dayanidhi Maran, when he was Union minister for communication and information technology in the United Progressive Alliance Government-I, abused his official position for the benefit of Sun TV Network. He installed a private telephone exchange at his residences in Chennai during June 2004 to December 2006. The CBI has alleged that 764 telephone links were provided to Dayanidhi Maran and no bills were raised causing a loss of ' 1.78 crore to BSNL, Chennai and MTNL, Delhi. The lines were connected from his residences initially in Gopalapuram and later in the Boat Club to his brother's Sun TV office for the illegal use.
Chief technical officer S. Kannan and electrician K.S. Ravi of Sun TV network, former BSNL general manager K. Brahmnathan, former deputy general manager M.P. Velusamy and Dayanidhi Maran’s private secretary Gowthaman, who was involved in the case, also appeared before the special judge.
Nearly four years after receiving complaints regarding the scam, the probe commenced in 2011. FIR was filed in October 2013. After a detailed probe, the CBI filed chargesheet before the special principal court for CBI cases on December 9, 2016.
