After the 2G spectrum scam case crumbled in the CBI court, the DMK's first family has tasted another victory as a special CBI court, on Wednesday, discharged the Maran brothers and others accused in the illegal telephone exchange case.
Special Judge S. Natarajan discharged all the seven accused, including former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran and his businessman brother Kalanidhi Maran, as there was no prima facie evidence to prove the charges against them. The others who were discharged are: former BSNL general manager K. Brahmanathan, former deputy general manager M.P. Velusamy, Dayanidhi Maran's private secretary Gauthaman, and the Sun TV officials. The case was discharged as the CBI, like in the 2G case, failed to provide necessary evidence in the court.
In a tweet, RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy, who was the man behind unearthing the illegal telephone exchange connecting Maran’s residence and Sun TV, dubbed it a “shame on CBI.”
Maran, who was waiting for the court to pronounce its order, called Gurumurthy “a liar, a power broker.” “He made fake allegations against me. He was interfering in the CBI probe,” Maran told in a television interview.
The CBI, in a petition, alleged that between June 2004 and December 2006, Dayanidhi Maran had misused his power and installed an illegal telephone exchange at his residences in Chennai, which was connected to facilitate business transactions involving his brother's Media company—Sun Network. The CBI said an illegal private telephone exchange was set up at the Boat Club residence of Dayanidhi Maran, connecting his brother Kalanidhi Maran’s Sun Network office which caused Rs1.78 crore loss to the exchequer.
What is the telephone exchange case
The telephone exchange case dates back to the period when Dayanidhi Maran was Union minister for communication and information technology, between 2004 and 2007. The CBI, in its petition in the special court, had alleged that Maran, to favour his brother’s Sun Network, had misused his office and installed a private telephone exchange at his residences in Boat Club, Chennai. More than 700 illegal telephone lines were used for business transactions involving Sun Network. More than 700 high-end telecom lines, having PRA/BRA/ISDN leased line, were installed under the service category. Bills were not raised for the same, which caused loss to the exchequer.
Meanwhile, Maran brothers in their discharge petitions filed in the court, argued that they were innocent and did not commit any irregularities.
Senior counsel Kabil Sibal appeared for the Maran brothers. He said the case was foisted on them and there was no prima facie evidence.
The discharge in the illegal telephone exchange case and the earlier acquittal in the Aircel-Maxis deal is a huge relief for the Maran clan. The brothers, who were once powerful in the DMK’s first family and also in the party, have been maintaining a low key for the past few years, after the DMK has been out of power in the state. In fact, Dayanidhi Maran has not been part of any of the high profile party meetings in the recent past. However, the brothers, with these legal reliefs, are expected to play a significant role in the DMK in the near future.
It may be recalled that Kalanidhi’s Sun Pictures is producing Rajinikanth’s next blockbuster directed by Karthik Subburaj.