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The CBI on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that a final decision on filing a First Information Report (FIR) against former Telecom Minister Mr Dayanidhi Maran will be taken by September 30 on his alleged role in the Aircel deal.
The CBI counsel Mr K K Venugopal filed a status report in a sealed cover before the apex court on its probe in the 2G spectrum case. The status report included the final recommendation regarding the persons against whom FIR will be registered in the Aircel deal. The agency said it has completed its preliminary enquiry into the case involving Mr Maran during his tenure as Telecom Minister, adding that letters rogatory (LR) has been sent to Mauritius regarding a particular company's role.
The allegation against Mr Maran is that he had forced Aircel’s promoter (Mr C. Sivasankaran) to sell the firm to a Malaysian company (Maxis Group, owned by Mr T Ananda Krishnan) in March 2006.
The Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), an NGO and a petitioner in the 2G case, had alleged Aircel got the licences in December 2006 after it was taken over by the Maxis Group. Soon after the company got licences, Maxis allegedly made investments in Mr Maran's family-owned business, thereby 'showing' quid pro quo, the CPIL said. However, Mr Maran had repeatedly denied all charges.
The CBI counsel said the agency had examined Mr Sivasankaran. The CBI counsel also said there was evidence on “undue favour” shown to the foreign firm, adding that the agency has also investigated the allegation of quid pro quo in the Aircel deal. The money involved is about Rs 549 crore, the counsel without disclosing the details of the status report.
LOOP-ESSAR LINKS
The CBI said it will inform the court on the final decision on the action taken on the Loop Telecom-Essar links within 2-3 weeks. The investigation on the Loop-Essar links is still on, the CBI said. The allegation is that Essar used Loop as a front company to obtain 2G licence and spectrum, thereby violating the norms. Essar Group had denied all allegations.
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