Sun TV case: SC issues notice to govt. to review security clearance

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the government after hearing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy's plea seeking a review of security clearances granted earlier to Sun TV.

Swamy has in his plea stated that the channel partly owned by Sun TV was granted license despite the Home Ministry opposing it.

Red FM, a part of Digital Radio Broadcasting (DRB), a part of Sun TV Network, was last year refused the chance to participate in phase III FM auctions by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on grounds that the Home Ministry didn't grant it security clearance.

The DRB, which is part of the Kalanithi Maran-promoted Sun TV Network and runs Red FM, then moved the Delhi High Court, which granted it permission to participate in the phase III auctions in July. The government then appealed this order before the apex court which was dismissed in January.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had refused security clearance to Red FM as Kalanithi Maran and his brother, former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, face money laundering charges.