HC dismisses Sun TV petitions against ED attachment

The Madras High Court on Wednesday dismissed petitions by Sun TV and Kal Comm Pvt. Ltd. challenging the attachment of some of their assets estimated at Rs. 742 crore by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Aircel-Maxis case.

Justice M. Sathyanarayanan said the court was “not inclined” to entertain the petitions since related cases were pending before the Supreme Court, which was monitoring the investigations being done by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the ED.

“This court finds that the writ petitions are not maintainable before this court and they are dismissed. Petitioners, if so advised, are at liberty to approach the Supreme Court for redressal of their grievance,” the judge said. He referred to the interim orders of the Supreme Court that no court shall pass any orders which may in any manner impede the investigation being carried out by the CBI and the ED.

After the ED attached two properties on March 31, Sun TV and Kal Comm Pvt. Ltd. moved the High Court. The petitioner contended that the assets were acquired much before the agencies started their investigations into the Aircel-Maxis case, and asked why properties of other firms accused in the case had not been attached.

Additional Solicitor-General G. Rajagopalan contended that the Supreme Court was monitoring the developments in the case and had observed that any other court hearing the matter would impede the investigation. The High Court had reserved its order in the case on June 2.

Recent developments

>ED summons Maran brothers

The agency is expected to issue an attachment order for seizing assets worth over Rs. 600 crore in the case before which questioning of the accused is necessary.

>Supreme Court refuses to hear Marans’ plea

The Marans argued that the Special Court had no jurisdiction to summon them as the case concerned a “personal dispute” and had no relation to the spectrum scam.

>Enforcement Directorate attaches Marans’ assets

Rs. 742.58 crore of property, investments held by Dayanidhi Maran and brother Kalanithi Maran and wife Kaveri Kalanithi impounded