Discharge of ex-telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran, brother Kalanithi in illegal telephone exchange case set aside by Madras HC

Former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanithi Maran will be charged in the illegal telephone exchange case after their discharge was set aside by the Madras High Court today.

The brothers had been discharged from the case in March by a CBI court. The trial court had allowed the petitions filed by the Maran brothers and others seeking their discharge, holding that there was no prima facie case against them.

The high court has ordered the framing of charges within 12 weeks against Dayanidhi Maran and his elder brother Kalanithi Maran, who heads the Sun Group.

Dayanidhi Maran is accused of setting up an illegal telephone exchange at his home, at a loss of Rs. 1.78 crore to the government. The exchange was allegedly used to help Sun TV conduct business transactions and transfer data.

Other accused who were discharged are former BSNL general manager K Brahmanathan, former deputy general manager M P Velusamy, Dayanidhi Maran's private secretary Gauthaman and some Sun TV officials.

(Inputs from PTI)