Sun TV moves SC against ED decision to attach properties

The Dayanidhi Maran-controlled Sun TV Network Ltd on Thursday moved the Supreme Court, challenging the Enforcement Directorate’s decision to attach approximately Rs 742 crore-worth assets of the company.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned the matter before a three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice H L Dattu seeking early hearing of the petition.

The bench said it would pass appropriate orders when the 2G case comes up for consideration.

In June, the Madras high court had refused to entertain Sun TV’s plea against attachment. The HC had said that since the matter was under the 2G case, only the Supreme Court could hear it.

In its plea, the Sun TV contended that the case did not fall within the ambit of the 2G case. It claimed that the properties attached by the ED were not connected with the alleged offence and were purchased before the 2G scam.

The attachment order by the ED in March is related to the alleged illegal gain of Rs 742.58 crore. The assets reportedly belonged to Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and Kalanithi’s wife Kaveri Kalanithi.

The Home Ministry has recently refused security clearance to Sun TV Network’s plea for renewal of licence. It is one of India’s largest media groups whose TV channels reach more than 95 million households in the country.

The network has applied to the I&B Ministry for renewing its broadcasting licence for 10 years for which it needed the MHA nod.