The Enforcement Directorate attached on Wednesday assets estimated at Rs. 742.58 crore held by former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanithi Maran and wife Kaveri Kalanithi in the Aircel-Maxis deal case.
The ED is conducting an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, based on Central Bureau of Investigation findings that the former Telecom Minister had allegedly received illegal gratification for the said sum from Maxis. Immovable assets estimated at Rs. 266 crore owned by Sun Network TV Pvt. Ltd; property valued at Rs. 171.55 crore owned by Kal Comm Private Ltd.; Sun Direct TV Private Ltd. (SDTPL) shares amounting to Rs. 139 crore held by Kalanithi Maran; and Rs. 100 crore in fixed deposits and Rs. 2.78 crore in mutual fund investments by him were attached.
Investments of Rs. 3.08 crore held by Ms. Kalanithi; Rs. 7.47 crore in fixed deposits held by Mr. Dayanidhi Maran; SDTPL fixed deposits of Rs. 31.34 crore; and South Asia FM Ltd. fixed deposits of Rs. 6.19 crore and mutual funds valued at Rs. 15.14 crore held by it were also attached.
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The ED will now have to file a complaint to the adjudicating authority within 30 days. In case the authority confirms the attachment within 180 days of filing the complaint, the agency will take possession of the assets.
Aircel complaint was about forced stake sale
The Aircel-Maxis deal came under the scanner after Aircel owner C. Sivasankaran lodged a complaint with the CBI in April-May 2011 alleging that he was forced to sell his stake to Maxis.
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In May 2014, the CBI told the Supreme Court that there was a difference of opinion between the then CBI Director and the prosecution regarding filing of the charge sheet. However, on reference, the then Attorney-General opined that there was enough prosecutable evidence.
Subsequently, Maxis Communications Berhad (Malaysia), also an accused in the CBI case, urged Finance Minister Arun Jaitley that it be treated in a fair manner, citing a contrary opinion by two retired Chief Justices of India.