2G scam: ED slaps case against Marans

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered two money laundering cases against former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanidhi on Wednesday in the multi-crore 2G licence scam. An illegal gratification of Rs 550 crore was reportedly accepted through Dayanidhi's brother Kalanidhi in the garb of share premium invested in M/S Sun Direct TV by Maxis Communication, owned by Malaysian tycoon T Anantha Krishnan.

The case, registered under the under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, also names Ralph Marshal of the Maxis Group.

The case states that Maxis made the Rs 550 crore investment in Sun TV and Sun DTH in return for a stake in Sivashankaran-owned Aircel. Reportedly, the process of granting 2G licence to Aircel was kept pending till an agreement was signed between Maxis and promoters of Aircel for ownership change in respect to these companies.

The case also refers to charges of excess spectrum hoarding by Bharti Cellular, Vodafone Essar, Hutchison Max and Sterling Cellular.

It accuses former telecom secretary Shyamal Ghosh and DoT official JR Gupta of giving spectrum to the telecom companies at below-market price.

The CBI has, meanwhile, said it will send Letter Rogatory to the Malaysian Government for permission to interrogate T Anantha Krishnan.