CBI to call Maran for questioning in 2G scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is all set to tighten the noose around former Union Telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran. The investigating agency is likely to call him for questioning in relation to his alleged involvement in the 2G scam.

“CBI has finalised Letter Rogatory, which will be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs by the middle of this month and after that Maran will be called for questioning related to our investigation,” a senior CBI official  told Deccan Herald.

The CBI had registered a case on October 9 last year against Maran, his brother and Sun TV network head Kalanidhi Maran and Malaysian business tycoon and head of Maxis Communications T Ananda Krishnan, in its new FIR on the 2G scandal.

The CBI in its FIR accused the former telecom minister of deliberately delaying the grant of licences to telecom company Aircel and coercing its former owner C  Sivasankaran to sell his equity in Aircel to Maxis Communications.

“It was learnt from reliable source that Dayanidhi Maran, the then MOC & IT in abuse of official position deliberately delayed grant of licenses in 7 telecom circa and other approvals/permissions on various issues pending before Department of Telecommunication (DoT) related to M/s Aircel Televentures on frivolous grounds with an intent to force its exit from telecom business,” CBI said in its FIR.

Dayanidhi Maran came under CBI scanner after Sivasankaran approached the agency on June 6, 2011, alleging that Aircel was not given telecom licence and Maran (erstwhile telecom minister) had forced him to sell the company to Maxis. The licences were issued after the deal was struck.