Beginning Monday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will get to interrogate former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran at their office for six consecutive days from 11 am to 5 pm to unearth his role in the illegal telephone exchange case.
With the Supreme Court staying the arrest of Maran on August 12, the CBI requested Court for his custodial interrogation. It complained that the former Minister was not cooperating with the probe. The prosecution case was that during 2004-2007, while as Telecom Minister, Maran had installed 740 high-speed telephone lines at his Chennai residence that were allegedly used by Sun TV, the company owned by his brother. No bills were generated during this period and this resulted in a huge loss to the public exchequer.
While denying custodial interrogation, the bench of Justices TS Thakur and V Gopala Gowda told CBI that if the purpose was for the former Minister to cooperate with the probe, a time can be fixed for him to appear and answer all queries put to him.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi who represented CBI showed a file noting suggesting that the BSNl head had indicated that the lines were laid on the verbal instruction given by Maran. The bench said, “We will not grant you (CBI) his custody. Interim order (staying his arrest) will continue. In the meantime, we direct the petitioner to appear before CBI.” The order was acceptable to both sides. The Court directed that from Monday to Saturday, Maran will appear before the CBI investigators from 11 am to 5 pm to answer their queries. The Court asked CBI to prepare a questionnaire and give to the accused. It will be open to the agency to approach the Court in the event Maran failed to co-operate, the bench added.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi who appeared for Maran submitted there was no proof to show the Minister’s involvement for which his custodial interrogation is sought. Maran was forced to approach apex court after Madras High Court set aside his anticipatory bail.