This Article is From Oct 31, 2015

Dayanidhi Maran Should Be Arrested in Telephone Exchange Case, CBI Says

Dayanidhi Maran Should Be Arrested in Telephone Exchange Case, CBI Says

The top court had earlier extended the stay on a Madras High Court order cancelling the bail of Mr Maran in the case.

New Delhi: DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran is not cooperating in the alleged telephone exchange case and his custodial interrogation was necessary "to ascertain the actual usage" of telephone lines for purported benefit of family venture Sun TV, the CBI told the Supreme Court today.

"The custodial examination of Mr Maran is required to ascertain the actual usage of these lines for the benefit of SUN TV which is in his exclusive knowledge. There is evidence of forging or tampering and manipulation of records and custodial interrogation is necessary to ascertain the modus operandi of the usage of the illegal telephone exchange, to ascertain the actual usage and consequential loss to the public exchequer," the affidavit filed before a bench headed by justice T S Thakur said.

Taking on record the affidavit of CBI, the judges deferred the hearing on the plea of Mr Maran to November 27 and asked the DMK leader to file his response by the next date of hearing.

"The petitioner was granted one opportunity to cooperate with investigation which he failed resulting into rejection of anticipatory bail...the petitioner was examined but he refused to co-operate with the investigation and was evasive to many questions. He gave contradictory replies during his examination," the affidavit said.

The investigating agency further said there was evidence on record to substantiate the allegations that Mr Maran in criminal conspiracy with the senior managers of state-run telecom operator BSNL "illegally" obtained more than 750 telephone numbers under service category.

"No approval of DOT (Department of Telecom) was obtained wilfully for any of these connections," it said.

The top court had earlier extended the stay on a Madras High Court order cancelling the bail of Mr Maran in the case.
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