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ED charge-sheet may jeopardise expansion plans of Sun TV and FM; group considering legal options
NEW DELHI: The security clearances for both the proposals for expansion of Sun TV and the group’s FM channels will get further jeopardised with the filing of a charge-sheet against the Maran brothers Kalanithi and Dayanidhi, Kalanithi Maran’s wife Kavery Maran and three others including two companies.
A spokesperson for the group told Indiantelevision.com from Chennai that the company was examining legal recourse to ensue that the expansion plans are not jeopardised as they are linked to freedom of the press and have nothing to do with the alleged money-laundering cases.
This follows the corruption case lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Aircel-Maxis deal. The complaint alleged that Rs 742.58 crore was paid for former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran by two Mauritius-based companies through Sun Direct TV Pvt. Ltd and South Asia FM Ltd.
Special Judge O P Saini here has fixed 18 January as the date for consideration and taking cognisance of the complaint, asked the ED to place all relevant documents before it.
The two companies are owned and controlled by Kalanidhi, and the money was utilised by these companies for their business, the complaint alleged.
SAFL, SDTPL and SAFL managing director K Shanmugam has also been named as accused in the complaint.
Dayanidhi allegedly obtained the proceeds of crime (Rs 742.58 crore) by camouflaging it as capital contribution in SDTPL and SAFL and thus committed the offence of money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the complaint said.
SDTPL is owned and controlled by Kalanithi and Kaveri, being the chairman and the director respectively. It received the proceeds of crime, Rs 549.03 crore for Dayanidhi in the guise of foreign investment, which was consumed by it in its business, the complaint said.
SAFL received Rs 193.55 crore for Dayanidhi by projecting it as capital contribution received by the company. This amount was also consumed by SAFL in its business.
The ED had on 1 April last attached assets of Dayanidhi, Kalanidhi and Kaveri Kalanidhi and other accused equivalent to proceeds of crime of (Rs 742.58 crore).
Earlier, the CBI in August 2014 had chargesheeted Maran brothers, Malaysian business tycoon T Ananda Krishnan, Malaysian national Augustus Ralph Marshall and four companies — Sun Direct TV, Maxis Communication Berhad, South Asia Entertainment Holding Ltd and Astro All Asia Network PLC — in the case.
The CBI had earlier alleged in the court that Dayanidhi had “pressured” and “forced” Chennai-based telecom promoter C Sivasankaran to sell his stakes in Aircel and two subsidiary firms to Malaysian firm Maxis Group in 2006.
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.
