The Supreme Court on Friday stayed attachment proceedings against Sun TV after the Enforcement Directorate had provisionally attached Rs742 crore worth assets of Maran-controlled Sun TV allegedly linking it to the Aircel-Maxis deal.
The Sun TV approached the apex court after Madras High Court refused to interfere citing that the case related to the 2G scam.
While staying the proceedings pending before the ED Adjudicating Authority, the Bench of Chief Justice Hl Dattu and Justice Amitava Roy clarified that the provisional attachment order issued by the ED would stay alive even if the 180-day period for confirming the attachment order is over. The notice was issued to Sun TV under the Prevention of Money laundering Act.
The Bench said, “In view of the last order passed by this court, the provisional attachment process will not expire after the conclusion of 180 days,” it said.
For Sun TV, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi had sought stay of attachment proceedings. Opposing the plea was Special 2G prosecutor Anand Grover who submitted he had no problem with grant of stay provided that the statutory period of 180 days does not get exhausted due to pendency of the petition.
Maran, his brother Kalanithi and Kaveri were affected by the ED action and wanted adjudication by the apex court whether its assets worth Rs742 crore could be linked to the Aircel-Maxis deal.