2G scam: Karunanidhi may sacrifice Marans to save self

The CBI raid on Maran brothers today is likely to ring warning bells for DMK supremo K Karunanidhi to act quickly to save himself or else the investigating agency may soon knock on his doors, said political commentator and Thuglak editor Cho Ramaswamy.

“Dayanidhi Maran is the father of spectrum. (A) Raja of course nurtured it. The CBI may be directed to mess up the entire thing. What is happening to Maran is not going to greatly worry Karunanidhi. In fact, he may feel confident that with his contacts and established reputation with the Congress leadership he may be able to do something and save everybody including himself,” Ramaswamy said.

The investigating agency, which is tracing the 2G trail, raided the Maran establishments in Chennai, Hyderabad and New Delhi this morning.

On Sunday, an FIR was filed against Maran and his brother Kalanidhi, Maxis owner T Ananda Krishnan, senior executive Ralph Marshall and three companies Aspro, Maxis and Sun TV in the case on charges of criminal conspiracy under IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act.

The CBI claims that a Rs 600 cr bribe was given to the Maran brothers. A case has been filed against them. The CBI said Maran delayed licenses to Aircel.

“CBI has registered case against Maran brothers, Ralph Marshall and T Anandkrishnan and three companies under section 120b of IPC read with 13(2) with 13 (1)(d) and also section 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Case was registered on 9 October. Searches were conducted at Delhi and Chennai,” CBI spokesperson Dharini Mishra said.

The CBI has asked the telecommunication department to provide them with technical details of the alleged set-up connecting Sun TV office and Maran’s residence.

According to the agency sources, 323 residential lines were in the name of BSNL general manager allegedly connecting Maran’s Boat House residence with the office of Sun TV through a dedicated underground cable during Maran’s tenure as telecom minister.

Reacting to the raids on the Marans, Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy said he was not surprised by the raids but by the delay in conducting them by the CBI.

BJP leader Varun Gandhi tweeted: “Dayanidhi Maran FIR long overdue, but still welcome move. You cannot use a Central ministry to fund a family business empire.”