CBI to file charge sheet in Aircel-Maxis case within a week

 CBI will file within a week its charge sheet against former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi and their company, for alleged coercion in the takeover of Aircel by Maxis. CBI Director Ranjit Sinha said today that the agency has taken into consideration the opinion of Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi, the representations sent by Maxis and material evidence collected by it through Letters Rogatory and other methods.

"I have issued orders to file the charge sheet. It will be filed within a week," he told reporters here. The action of CBI comes after receiving the opinion of the Attorney General who has said there was enough evidence to file charge sheet against Marans. The matter was sent to the AG as there was a difference of opinion between the views of investigation team and the CBI Director on charge sheeting Maran brothers in the case.

CBI in 2011 had filed FIR in the case alleging that Dayanidhi Maran as telecom minister had used his influence to help Malaysian business tycoon T Ananda Krishnan acquire Aircel by coercing its owner C Sivasankaran. It was alleged by Sivasankaran that the then telecom minister had favoured Malaysia-based Maxis group in the takeover of his company and in return investments were made by the company through Astro network in a company owned by the Maran family. Marans have refuted all the allegations against them.