During his tenure as Telecom Minister, Mr Dayanidhi Maran had delayed the award of 2G spectrum licences to Aircel for nearly two years, the CBI told the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

This, in turn, forced Aircel's promoter (Mr C. Sivasankaran) to sell the firm to a Malaysian company (Maxis Group, owned by Mr T. Ananda Krishnan) in 2006, the CBI alleged. The agency, which filed in a sealed cover a fresh status report on the 2G scam probe before the apex court, said its investigation in the matter is in a preliminary stage.

CBI counsel and senior advocate Mr K. K. Venugopal read out the status report to the apex court. Mr Venugopal did not name Mr Maran directly, but said, “The gentleman (Aircel promoter) was knocking at the door for two years. He was left with no choice but to sell his shares to a Malaysian firm.”

Mr Sivasankaran had earlier alleged that he was forced by Mr Maran to sell Aircel to Maxis and also reportedly testified before the CBI in this regard. However, Mr Maran had repeatedly denied all charges.

According to an application filed before the apex court by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), an NGO, and petitioner in the 2G spectrum case, Mr Sivasankaran was forced to sell Aircel in March 2006 to the Maxis Group after Mr Maran had delayed the award of licences to Aircel by raising irrelevant issues.

“In November 2006, the DoT issued 14 Letters of Intent to Aircel, and they were converted into licences in December 2006. Within three months of this, Mr Maran's family-owned business (Sun) received substantial investment from Maxis Group (Aircel) by taking 20 per cent equity in Sun Direct... Maxis Group invested Rs 599.01 crore in Sun Direct from December 2007 to December 2009,” said CPIL.

“Besides, a Maxis Group company (Astro) also made investment of Rs 111.28 crore in South Asia FM Ltd (SAFL), an FM company owned by the Maran Group. These transactions show a clear case of quid pro quo for getting the UAS licences by Maxis Group,” the CPIL had alleged.

Last month, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman, Dr M. M. Joshi, had called for a probe into Mr Maran's role in the 2G scam.

The CBI also told the apex court that it would conclude by August 31 its investigation into the money trail in the 2G scam and file the next charge-sheet in the case. This is expected to include the Loop Telecom-Essar transactions as well.

The agency said there was prima facie evidence that Essar had used Loop as a front firm to get additional spectrum and licence illegally. It also said it had registered a preliminary enquiry into all irregularities in spectrum allocation during 2001-07 and would complete the probe in three months.

The CBI also challeged the Corporate Affairs Ministry's role in giving a clean chit to Essar group. Besides, the agency said, it was forwarded the opinion given by former judges to the company that Essar Group and Loop Telecom has no link. The agency said it will not be influenced by such opinion in its probe.

The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate also told the apex court that investigations are on in seven countries regarding the money trail. The entire process could take many more months, the CBI said.

Expressing reservation about retired judges giving their opinion in the 2G spectrum scam, the apex court cautioned the CBI against getting influenced by attempts to sidetrack the probe. It asked the CBI to take the probe to a logical conclusion at the earliest.

The apex court will hear the matter again on July 11.

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