New Delhi, June 6: Probing the allocation of 2G spectrum between 2001-07, CBI today recorded the statement of Siva group chairman C Sivasankaran who has accused Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran of arm-twisting him into selling his shares in Aircel to a Malaysian company, a charge denied by the DMK leader.
The statement of Sivasankaran was recorded by CBI in connection with the ongoing investigations into 2G spectrum allocation scam between 2001 to 2007 at an undisclosed location. CBI has registered a Prelimnary Enquiry on the directions of the Supreme Court to probe telecom deals between 2001-07.
Sivasankaran, who has claimed Maran had arm twisted him into selling his stake in Aircel to Maxis, met CBI officials to answer certain questions and alleged irregularities in spectrum allocation to Aircel, a telecom company founded by him and later sold to Malaysian firm Maxis.
As the news of his statement was being recorded by the agency, Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran, who was Telecom Minister during that time, distanced himself from Sivasankaran and rejected allegations that he had ‘forced and arm-twisted' Sivasankaran to sell his business and said he would prove his “innocence” before appropriate authorities.
Sivasankaran heads USD three billion conglomerate, Siva Group, with operations in realty, telecom, shipping, energy and agri exports and e-education/software.
Sivasankaran had alleged his applications for licences were rejected when Maran was Telecom Minister in 2006, forcing him to sell his company to Maxis whose owner is considered close to Maran and his brother Kalanidhi who owns Sun TV.
Malaysia-based Maxis Communications had issued a statement claiming its investment in Aircel were in full compliance with the applicable laws of India and has approval of the requisite authorities. PTI
