<p>The Union Home Ministry has rejected an Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry proposal to give security clearance to 33 channels of the Sun TV Network, one of India’s largest media groups.<br /><br /></p>.<p>If the I&B Ministry goes ahead with the Home Ministry’s proposal, the Sun Network will have to shut its channels.<br /><br />Officials are now likely to take up the issue with I&B Minister Arun Jaitley. <br />The rejection came close on the heels of the Home Ministry refusing to give its nod for the group’s 45 radio channels. <br /><br />The Sun TV Network could not be contacted for its comments. <br />Sun Network channels reach more than 9.5 crore households in India.<br /><br />Official sources said the Home Ministry felt giving clearance to the channels would adversely affect the country's economic security.<br /><br />The ministry has taken into consideration the investigations against Sun Group promoter Kalanidhi Maran and his brother, former telecommunications minister Dayanidhi Maran, in the 2G spectrum scam and other cases.<br /><br />The brothers are also facing a CBI probe over the allotment of 300 high-speed BSNL telephone lines to the Dayanidhi's residence in Chennai, which were extended to his brother's channel.<br /><br />Charge sheets have been filed against the Marans in the Aircel-Maxis case, in which they were accused of coercing Aircel owner C Sivasankaran to sell his firm to Maxis for pecuniary benefits.<br /><br />The Enforcement Directorate has registered a case of money laundering against the Marans.<br /><br />Sources said the Home Ministry has detailed these cases in its response given to the I&B Ministry, rejecting the proposal to give clearance to the channels.<br /><br />The Sun Network had approached the I&B Ministry for renewing its broadcasting licence for 10 years. The process required security clearance from the Home Ministry.</p>
<p>The Union Home Ministry has rejected an Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry proposal to give security clearance to 33 channels of the Sun TV Network, one of India’s largest media groups.<br /><br /></p>.<p>If the I&B Ministry goes ahead with the Home Ministry’s proposal, the Sun Network will have to shut its channels.<br /><br />Officials are now likely to take up the issue with I&B Minister Arun Jaitley. <br />The rejection came close on the heels of the Home Ministry refusing to give its nod for the group’s 45 radio channels. <br /><br />The Sun TV Network could not be contacted for its comments. <br />Sun Network channels reach more than 9.5 crore households in India.<br /><br />Official sources said the Home Ministry felt giving clearance to the channels would adversely affect the country's economic security.<br /><br />The ministry has taken into consideration the investigations against Sun Group promoter Kalanidhi Maran and his brother, former telecommunications minister Dayanidhi Maran, in the 2G spectrum scam and other cases.<br /><br />The brothers are also facing a CBI probe over the allotment of 300 high-speed BSNL telephone lines to the Dayanidhi's residence in Chennai, which were extended to his brother's channel.<br /><br />Charge sheets have been filed against the Marans in the Aircel-Maxis case, in which they were accused of coercing Aircel owner C Sivasankaran to sell his firm to Maxis for pecuniary benefits.<br /><br />The Enforcement Directorate has registered a case of money laundering against the Marans.<br /><br />Sources said the Home Ministry has detailed these cases in its response given to the I&B Ministry, rejecting the proposal to give clearance to the channels.<br /><br />The Sun Network had approached the I&B Ministry for renewing its broadcasting licence for 10 years. The process required security clearance from the Home Ministry.</p>
