Illegal phone connections case: Marans fail to appear in court

Former Union telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanidhi Maran, listed as main accused in the illegal telephone connections case, failed to appear in a CBI court here today.

Four others accused in the case appeared in the court in connection with the issuance of charge sheet copies.

CBI had on December 9, 2016, filed a charge sheet against against Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanithi among others, for allegedly using 764 high-speed data lines at the former's residence which were used by Sun TV channel, causing a loss of Rs 1.78 crore to the exchequer.

The high-end telecommunication facilities were  illegally under the service category for which bills were not raised for 2004-'07.

S Kannan, the chief technical assistant of Sun TV and V Gowthaman, the then Additional Private Secretary to Dayanidhi Maran, K S Ravi, electrician of Sun TV and a BSNL official Velusamy, who were named as the other accused in the charge sheet, appeared before the judge today.

The CBI judge then adjourned the matter for June 6.