2G scam: CBI records ex-Aircel Sivasankaran's statement

CBI on Monday recorded statement of former Aircel chief C Sivasankaran in connection with its ongoing investigations in the second generation spectrum allocation scam during UPA-I regime.

CBI sources said Sivasankaran was asked to meet its officials to clarify certain questions and series of events involving alleged irregularities in spectrum allocation to Aircel, a telecom firm founded by him and later sold to Malaysian firm Maxis.

Sivasankaran heads USD three billion conglomerate, Siva Group, with operations in realty, telecom, shipping, energy and agri exports and e-education/software.

Sources said Sivasankaran statements were being recorded at an undisclosed location in the national capital.

They said Sivasankaran had alleged that he was forced by DMK MP and Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran to sell his stake in Aircel to Maxis.

Sivasankaran had alleged his applications for licences were rejected when Maran was the telecom minister in 2006, forcing him to sold his company to Maxis, whose owner is considered to be close to Maran and his brother Kalanidhi, who owns Sun TV.