Maxis-Maran probe stuck in last leg as CBI seeks to spend more

The agency has 'almost finished' its probe into matter which involves DMK leader and former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought “financial sanction” from the department of personnel and training in connection with the Aircel-Maxis deal probe. The agency has “almost finished” its probe into the matter which involves DMK leader and former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, an official said.

Last week, in a status report presented before the Supreme Court, CBI said that one aspect of the investigation is yet to be closed which involves a “financial burden.” A team of investigating officials had visited Malaysia to gather information about Maxis deal with Aircel. “The agency wants to incur some expenditure outside of India,” said a senior CBI official. The agency did not however disclose the amount it requires and to what purpose.

CBI has also received replies to many of its queries sent through the letter rogatory from Malaysia. The agency has enough information in the case but it is hopeful of getting some more evidence from the Malaysian authorities before finalizing the chargesheet. The investigation agency’s probe in the Aircel-Maxis deal has also indicated that Maxis investments in the India breached the permissible limit of foreign direct investments in the telecom sector.

The agency has also received information that indicates Dayanidhi Maran received kickbacks from the Malaysian firm Maxis. Ananda Krishnan, promoter of Maxis, and the Maran family have known each other for long, it is believed. Aircel, denied a pan-India telecom licence earlier, was able to enter all circles after the Maxis takeover, C Sivasankaran, Aircel founder, had told CBI.

The information sought by CBI from Malaysia includes the details of transactions that took place from Maxis to Aircel and companies including Sun Direct. Following the deal, Astro, also a part of Krishnan’s media-telecom empire, had announced a $160 million investment in Sun Direct for a 20% stake. Astro also raised its stake in Sun Direct to 35%. Sun Direct is the direct-to-home arm of the Sun group, which is promoted by Kalanithi Maran, the brother of Dayanidhi Maran.

In April 2013, CBI had told the Supreme Court that there were “some difficulties” in the probe since the investigation has gone overseas. A team from CBI had also recently visited Malaysia to gather information regarding this case.

In October 2011, CBI had registered a case against Dayanidhi Maran, his brother and Sun group promoter Kalanithi Maran along with Malaysian business tycoon and Maxis owner, T Ananda Krishnan, and Maxis Director Ralph Marshall. CBI had also named Sun Direct, Astro All Asia Networks, UK, and Maxis along with some unknown officials as co-accused.