The Maran brothers and others argued that they were innocent and did not commit any irregularities.
Highlights
- CBI special judge S Natarajan said there was no prima facie against them
- The CBI had alleged a loss of ₹1.78 crore to the exchequer
- The Maran brothers and others argued that they were innocent
A special CBI court here today discharged former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi and other accused in the "illegal" telephone exchange case.
Special judge S Natarajan allowed the petitions filed by the Maran brothers and others seeking their discharge, holding that there was no prima facie case against them.
The judge had on March 9 reserved orders for today in the case.
The CBI had alleged that an illegal private telephone exchange was set up at the city residence of Mr Dayanidhi during 2004-06 when he was the telecom minister and it was used for the business transactions involving the Sun Network owned by his brother Mr Kalanithi.
The central agency had alleged that Mr Dayanidhi had caused a loss of Rs 1.78 crore to the exchequer.
Other accused who have been discharged are former BSNL general manager K Brahmanathan, former deputy general manager M P Velusamy, Dayanidhi Maran's private secretary Gauthaman, and Sun TV officials.
During the hearing of the discharge petitions, the Maran brothers and others argued that they were innocent and did not commit any irregularities as alleged by the prosecution.
Senior counsel Kabil Sibal, who had appeared for the Maran brothers, had contended that the case was foisted on them.