Dayanidhi Maran, others seek bail in Aircel-Maxis deal

Former Communication Minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi and two others on Monday moved their bail application before a special court hearing the money laundering case related to the Aircel-Maxis deal.

Central Bureau of Investigation Special Judge O. P. Saini asked Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file reply on the bail pleas and listed the matter for July 21 for further hearing.

Maran brothers, Kalanithi's wife Kavery Kalanithi and South Asia FM Ltd (SAFL) managing director K. Shanmugam appeared before court in pursuance of summons issued against them and sought bail in the case.

The court on February 27 has issued summons to four individual accused and the two companies - SAFL and Sun Direct TV Pvt. Ltd. (SDTPL). The two firms were represented by authorised representatives.

The six were charge sheeted by Enforcement Directorate on January 8 for money laundering of Rs 742.58 crore.

ED counsel N.K. Matta, while requesting the court to initiate proceedings against accused, said: "Dayanidhi Maran obtained the proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs 742.58 crore through the companies of his relatives by camouflaging the proceeds of crime as capital contribution in SDTPL and SAFL and has committed the offence of money laundering in receiving the said proceeds of crime in the said companies owned and controlled by his brother, Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Kalanithi."

Dayanidhi Maran allegedly influenced a Malaysian businessman to buy Aircel by coercing its owner Sivasankaran to part with his stake.

Maran favoured the Maxis Group in the takeover of his company, and in return, the Malaysian businessman's company made investments in a company stated to be owned by the Maran family.

The money was paid to SDTPL and SAFL, both of which are owned and controlled by Kalanithi Maran, and utilised by the two companies in their business, ED said.

The probe revealed that promoters of the SDTPL are Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Kalanithi.

--IANS

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