Maran under SC scanner in 2G scam

Union textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran is now under Supreme Court's scanner in the 2G spectrum allocation scam with the CBI uncovering his role in ''forcing'' a Chennai-based telecom promoter to sell his stakes in Aircel to a Malaysian firm in 2006.

The agency, which came out with a 71-page fresh status report about the 2G scam, said during 2004-07 when Maran was telecom minister, the promoter C Sivasankaran, was forced to sell his stake in Aircel to a Malaysian firm, Maxis Group.

Senior advocate K K Venugopal, who read the status report before a bench of justice G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly, without naming Maran stated the Chennai businessman was not granted licence for two years.

The report said the Malaysian firm was favoured by Maran, who was telecom minister between February 2004 and May 2007 and was granted licence within six months of taking over Aircel in December 2006.

''The gentleman (promoter of Aircel) had been knocking at various doors but was left with no choice but to sell his shares to a Malaysian firm,'' said Venugopal, representing CBI, while reading out from the status report that was filed in a sealed cover.

Earlier, an NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation, had placed before the court, documents that pointed to Maran's role in favouring Maxis Group of Malaysia. The group had bought Chennai-based telecom company Aircel, owned by Siva Group, when Maran was telecom minister during his stint from 2004 to 2007.