Maran Brothers in Trouble Over BSNL Illegal Telephone Exchange Case, Madras HC Sets Aside Lower Court's Order On Discharging Them
The central agency had alleged that Dayanidhi had caused a loss of Rs 1.78 crore to the exchequer.
Chennai, July 25: Madras High Court has set aside the lower court's order on discharging Maran brothers in BSNL illegal telephone exchange case, according to an ANI report. High Court has ordered framing of charges against them within 12 weeks. Towards the end of last month, CBI contended in the Madras high court that the trial court was wrong in discharging former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi and other accused in the “illegal” telephone exchange case, saying a prima facie case had been made out against them, according to a PTI report.
Dayanidhi was accused of abusing his official position to obtain a larger number of telephone connections, and allowing them to be commercially used by Sun Network-owned by Kalanithi Maran during 2004-06. According to the rules, only three landline connections, and two mobile connections to the minister was allowed. But the bills were never raised by BSNL for the connections obtained by the minister, which was illegal, according to CBI.
The judge had previously refused a plea by the counsel for Maran brothers to adjourn the hearing on the appeal till next month end due to non-availability of senior counsels. The central agency had alleged that Dayanidhi had caused a loss of Rs 1.78 crore to the exchequer.
(With additional inputs from PTI)
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 25, 2018 11:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).