CBI to summon Aircel-Maxis case accused

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to summon Malaysia-based Maxis Group Chairman T Ananda Krishnan in connection with the controversial Aircel-Maxis deal case as he has not been questioned by the agency so far.

The agency is also likely to summon Director of UK-based Astro All Asia Networks Ralph Marshall, Director SUN Direct TV Kalanithi Maran and former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran who have been made accused in the case, CBI sources said.

The CBI has questioned Marshall, Reddy and Maran brothers but Krishnan needs to be questioned, the sources said.

The agency has registered a case against Maran brothers, Ananda Krishnan, Marshall and three companies Astro All Asia Networks, Sun Direct TV and Maxis Communications under relevant sections of criminal conspiracy and Prevention of Corruption Act.

After registering the case, the agency yesterday carried out searches at the premises of Maran brothers in Delhi and Chennai and at the residence of Executive Director of Apollo Hospital Suneeta Reddy in Hyderabad.

It has been alleged by former Aircel Chief C Sivasankaran that Maran as the then Telecom Minister favoured the Maxis group in the takeover of his company and in return investments were made by the company through Astro network in Sun TV owned by Maran family.

Sources in the CBI claimed quid-pro-quo on part of the then Telecom Minister has been established during the probe. It has also been proved during the CBI probe that there is direct evidence that files of Sivasankaran were deliberately delayed, the sources said.