Marans served chargesheet in the illegal telephone lines case

Former Union Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran and his elder brother and Sun media conglomerate owner Kalanidhi Maran, on Tuesday, appeared before a CBI court here to receive copies of charge sheet in the illegal telephone lines case.

The 13th CBI special judge, Jawahar, served copies to the Marans and the other accused in the case while posting the matter to July 28 for framing of charges.

The CBI had filed a charge sheet on December 9, 2016, against the Marans for allegedly using 764 high-speed data lines at Dayanidhi's residence for commercial use of Sun TV network and thereby causing a loss of Rs 1.78 crore to the exchequer.

During his tenure as Union Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran had installed a number of high-speed data lines in his residence for official purpose between 2004 and 2007, but misused the lines for his brother owned Sun TV Network. No bills were raised as it falls under the service category.

The then BSNL's chief general managers — KB Brahmadatha and NP Veluchamy, S Kannan, the Chief Technical Assistant of SUN TV and V Gowthaman, the then Additional Private Secretary to Dayanidhi Maran, KS Ravi, Electrician of Sun TV, who were arrayed as other accused also appeared before the CBI Court Judge.