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Dayanidhi Maran’s arrest stayed by Supreme Court
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today stayed the Madras High Court order cancelling former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran’s anticipatory bail in the illegal telephone exchange case.
Issuing notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to reply within two weeks, the court listed the matter for 14 September.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi appearing for CBI referred to the facts of the case to stress that it was a huge corruption case and said, “Maran used clout in government to fix lines for use of the huge media house Sun TV. We want his custody to prove the conspiracy involving Maran, Sun TV network and BSNL.”
Maran had argued that bail is cancelled only when there is danger of the person fleeing the country or influencing the witnesses in the case. In this case, he contended that neither apprehension was considered or sounded out in the High Court order. He contended that the CBI had sought the cancellation of his bail only to humiliate him.
Justice T S Thakur and Justice V. Gopala Gowda questioned both Maran’s counsel Shyam Diwan and Rohatgi before giving their order.
Justice Thakur asked whether political vendetta was behind the push for Maran’s arrest. Asking the CBI whether it was trying to “fix” him, Justice Thakur asked, “Why do the CBI need to arrest a man for Rs 1 crore pending phone bills? When the FIR was filed in 2013, why did you not make any arrest? What were you doing for nearly three years?”
“If you think the phone lines were fixed as part of conspiracy, question him, question the BSNL officials. Why arrest him?” he said.
“Is it a matter of prestige for you to arrest him? Nobody should get away after causing public loss but custodial interrogation? How did you assess the Rs 1 crore loss? You say no bills were raised. Anyway he is willing to pay. You raise the bill now and he will pay up,” Justice Thakur said.
Diwan added, “There is no criminality in this case, only monetary claim. We will pay if any dues.”
Earlier, the former Telecom Minister argued that the Madras High Court did not consider the legal circumstances before cancellation of bail and the order was an error in law.
According to the prosecution, Maran as Minister entered into a criminal conspiracy with officials of the BSNL and by abusing their official positions, caused a huge financial loss and wrongful loss to the exchequer to the tune of Rs 1.78 crore.
The prosecution alleged that the former Minister installed over 300 telephone connections in his residence in the name of the accused government servants to show these connections illegally under “service category,” thereby making no payments for the installation and rentals.
Maran was granted anticipatory bail for six weeks on the condition that he would cooperate with the agency in the investigation.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
