New Delhi:
Differences within the CBI or Central Bureau of Investigation on whether there was sufficient evidence to prosecute former Union minister
Dayanidhi Maran has led to a delay in filing a chargesheet in the Aircel-Maxis deal case, the investigating agency informed the Supreme Court today.
The CBI had in October, 2011 filed an FIR in the case relating to the Aircel-Maxis deal. The investigating agency had alleged that Mr Maran had misused his office to help a Malaysian entrepreneur, T Ananda Krishnan acquire one of the biggest telecom firms, Aircel. In return, the Ananda Krishnan-owned company Maxis invested around Rs 650 crores in the Sun TV Network, run by the Marans.
But the chargesheet in the case has still not been filed, and the delay has been attributed to the differences that have cropped up within the CBI on the weight of the evidence gathered by it. The investigating officers and additional director, the agency told the Top Court, feel that there is enough evidence to chargesheet Mr Maran, but the director differed with them.
The CBI, therefore, has sought the opinion of Attorney General Goolam E Vahanvati, who is yet to give his opinion.
The Supreme Court, after examining the CBI status report, pointed out that the Attorney General is not in a position to offer his views as he is unwell, and has been recuperating in a hospital for a month.
The Top Court, at this stage, gave more time to the CBI to get the Attorney General's opinion in the case, and adjourned the case to August 4.
Mr Maran, a senior DMK leader, is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Chennai Central. He has been representing the constituency since 2004.