CBI not to spare Maran in 2G case

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The CBI on Friday categorically denied the possibility of closing its on-going pr­obe against former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran in the Aircel-Maxis deal.

Sources in the CBI maintained that the agency was expecting full co-operation from Malaysian au­tho­r­ities in the probe that is currently on. “The agency expects early executi­on of its pending Letter Rogatory (LR) by the Mal­aysian go­vernment,” they said.

Referring to reports in a section of media that CBI may close its probe again­st former telecom minister, sources said, “There is no question of closing the on­going probe against him at all. CBI has already completed the domestic investigations into the deal and is now waiting for cooperati­on from Malaysian authorities for its overseas probe.

“The CBI, through the high co­mmission for India in Kuala Lumpur is in constructive engagement with Malaysia authorities. It is expected that LR will be executed at the earliest as per laid-down procedure,” sources said.

The CBI in its FIR, registered on October 9, 2011, alleged that Dayanidhi Maran was involved in “abetting the acceptance of illegal gratification” - estimated to be worth over Rs 547 crore - from the Malaysian firm. The Malaysian firm Maxis, through its United Kingdom-based subsidiary Astro All Asia Networks, had allegedly bought premium equity at under-valued rates of the Chennai-based Sun­ Direct TV Private Limited of Maran’s brother Kalanidhi.

The agency in its FIR named Maran, his brother Kalanidhi, chairperson of Maxis Communication T. Ananda Krishnan, senior executive of Astro All Asia Network and Maxis Ralph Marshall.