File photo: Former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran (left) and his brother Kalanithi Maran
The Centre has reportedly told the Central Bureau of Investigation that there is enough evidence to chargesheet former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran in the case of a kickback or quid pro quo in the sale of telecom firm Aircel to the Maxis Group in 2006.
Sources say Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi has told the CBI to file a charge-sheet against Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanidhi Maran in the Aircel-Maxis deal, in news that spells trouble for the DMK, a former ally of the Congress-led UPA.
In an FIR or police complaint filed in 2011, the CBI accused Dayanidhi Maran of misusing his office in 2006 to force the sale of cellphone operator Aircel to Maxis, owned by T Ananda Krishnan. In return, the CBI claims, the Malaysian group invested nearly Rs. 650 crores in the Sun TV Group, owned by Mr Maran's brother, Kalanithi.
C Sivasankaran, who owned Aircel at the time, has said that Mr Maran ensured the telecom was not given critical licenses as a pressure tactic by Mr Maran. After he eventually caved in, he claims, Aircel received clearances at lightning speed.
The Attorney General stepped in after differences between the CBI director Ranjit Sinha and the agency's Director of Prosecution led to a delay in a charge-sheet in the case. Mr Sinha had said the evidence against Dayanidhi Maran was insufficient.
The matter landed on former Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran's table earlier this year. In May, he wrote a letter to the investigating agency saying he would not intervene and "it would be most appropriate that the matter is considered by the new government."
The BJP took power in May after winning the national election, which saw the UPA losing power after two terms.