CBI challenges discharge of the Maran brothers in illegal telephone exchange case

CHENNAI:It has been three months since the Maran brothers, Dayanidhi Maran ( former Union minister), Kalanidhi Maran and seven other accused were discharged, due to lack of prima facie evidence to prove the charges against them, in the illegal telephone exchange case.

The CBI has challenged this decision, at the Madras high court. Justice G Jayachandran acknowledged the criminal revision petition and has ordered a notice to the Maran brothers and the other seven accused, to return to the court by June 20.

According to the CBI, Dayanidhi Maran, during the check period of June 2004 to December 2006, had misused his office, when he was the Union minister of communication and Technology  and installed a private telephone exchange at his residences in Chennai and  used the exchange for private business transactions involving Sun network.

The minister has lost around Rs 1.78, crore to the exchequer. More than 700 telecom lines had been installed at their residences in the Boat club and Gopalapuram.

The remaining accused include former BSNL general manager K Brahmnathan, former deputy general manager M P Veluswamy and Dayanidhi Maran’s private secretary Gauthaman.