Chennai, November 9: The Madras High Court on Friday rejected the plea by Maran brothers to quash the illegal telephone exchange case against them. Earlier, the Supreme Court had dismissed a plea filed by Kalanithi Maran, who challenged a Madras High Court verdict setting aside a trial court order discharging him in a case related to the alleged setting up of "illegal" telephone exchanges. The alleged wrongdoing took place during the UPA- I government. Maran Brothers in Trouble Over BSNL Illegal Telephone Exchange Case, Madras HC Sets Aside Lower Court's Order On Discharging Them.

Former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran along with his brother Kalanithi Maran, are accused of abusing the former's 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.

In September, Dayanidhi Maran and his elder brother Kalanidhi Maran had told the Madras High Court that charges framed against them were "lame and shame". The brothers requested the HC that the case against them must be quashed. The plea has been continuously rejected by the court.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 09, 2018 11:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).