Illegal Phone Exchange Case: SC Says Maran Brothers to Face Trial

A special CBI court in March 2018 discharged Dayanidhi, brother Kalanithi and five others earlier this year.

The Quint
India
Published:
File photo of Dayanidhi Maran.
i
File photo of Dayanidhi Maran.
(Photo: Reuters)

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The Supreme Court on, Monday, 30 July, dismissed the appeal filed by former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran against the Madras High Court order setting aside his discharge from the BSNL illegal telephone exchange case.

A special CBI court in March 2018 discharged Dayanidhi, his brother Kalanithi, and five other accused in the "illegal" telephone exchange case.

Holding that there was no sufficient material to frame charges against any of them, Special judge S Natarajan allowed the petitions filed by the Maran brothers and others seeking their discharge.

However, the CBI appealed in Madras High Court against the discharge of Maran brothers.

What is the Case All About?

The CBI had alleged that an illegal private telephone exchange was set up in the Chennai residence of Dayanidhi during 2004-06, when he was the telecom minister and that it was used for the business transactions involving the Sun Network owned by his brother Kalanithi.

The central agency alleged that Dayanidhi had caused a loss of Rs 1.78 crore to the exchequer.

The other accused are former BSNL General Manager K Brahmanathan, former Deputy General Manager M P Velusamy, Dayanidhi Maran's private secretary Gauthaman, and Sun TV officials.

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