Noose tightens around Maran
CBI to file FIR against him in 10 days
The noose is getting tightened around the neck of former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has completed its probe against him in the 2G spectrum scam, is likely to register cases in 10 days.
“Inquiry against him is complete now and we will file the first information report (FIR) in seven to 10 days after getting necessary approvals from the higher authorities in the CBI,” sources told Deccan Herald here on Sunday.
The CBI informed the Supreme Court on September 28 that it had evidence against the DMK MP and would file an FIR against him for various offences, including showing “undue favour” to mobile service provider Aircel.
This, along with admission by none other than Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that Maran had sought change terms of reference of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on spectrum pricing, has come as a severe setback to the beleaguered former minister.
Last week, on his way back from the visit to New York, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told journalists accompanying him: “It is certainly true that one draft was prepared, and it included spectrum prices,” and added that the DMK leader had forced the pricing of 2G spectrum out of the purview of a GoM set up to deal with the issue.
The decision to constitute a GoM on spectrum was taken in 2006. The Prime Minister went on to add: “That was way back in 2006. At that time, licensing of what took place in 2007 or 2008 was not on the horizon.
“The real concern of the government was that we should persuade the Defence Ministry to vacate spectrum and that spectrum should be made available to the civilian economy.”
“In the process, we will make a lot of money and also the economy would gain efficiency. It is certainly true that one draft that was prepared did include spectrum prices and Dayanidhi Maran did object, saying spectrum pricing is bread and butter and the integral part of the business of his department. In any case, he said that a large group like GoM that we are setting up is not going to be able to deal effectively with the complicated technical aspects involved.
“It was pointed out to me that there was a Cabinet decision of 2003, which said spectrum prices is a matter which should be discussed between the Finance Ministry and the Telecom Ministry. And I came to the conclusion that my agreeing with Maran’s point of view would not amount to sacrificing anything which is essential and integral to the success of the process,” Singh said.
The CBI is said to have found evidence that as telecom minister, Maran sat on Aircel’s applications for UAS licences and spectrum in 14 new circles. The agency is likely to establish that the licences were cleared soon after Aircel saw a change in its ownership.
Caught in the 2G web
* Maran was forced to resign as Union Minister of Textiles after CBI told Supreme Court it suspected his involvement in the 2G scam
* Mobile service provider Aircel owner C Sivasankaran has told CBI that Maran forced him to sell his 74 per cent stake to Maxis group of Malaysia in return for a licence
* CBI investigated Maran for charges that he favoured Maxis in return for investments made in Sun TV
* CBI is also looking at allegations that Marans got kickbacks of almost Rs 600 crore for favour shown to Maxis
* The main charges against Maran are likely to be conspiracy, misuse of official position, giving bribe and accepting bribe
