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The Central Bureau of Investigation has sought clarifications from Standard Chartered Bank officials in connection with its probe into former Aircel chief Mr C. Sivasankaran’s allegations that the then Telecom Minister Mr Dayanidhi Maran forced him to sell his company to Malaysia-based Maxis group in 2006.
The agency has registered a preliminary enquiry into the sale of telecom spectrum during 2001-07.
According to CBI sources, Standard Chartered was the banker in the deal in which Maxis bought 74 per cent stake in Aircel. They said documents from the bank could provide crucial details about the financial transactions.
They said the officials of the bank’s corporate wing were quizzed by CBI officials.
Mr Sivasankaran had alleged in a statement before the agency that he was forced to sell his stake in Aircel by Mr Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Mr Kalanidhi Maran at a very cheap price to Maxis, which is considered closed to Marans.
The allegations have been refuted by Mr Dayanidhi Maran who maintains that he did not play any role in the Aircel-Maxis deal.
The sources said the CBI primarily wants to get the details of correspondence of the bank with both parties — Mr Sivasankaran and Maxis officials and the manner in which the entire deal was done.
CBI in the preliminary enquiry is verifying the allegations levelled by Mr Sivasankaran and seeking documents and other details from the Standard Chartered officials are part of that exercise, the sources said.
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