Charges framed against Maran brothers in telephone exchange case

A special CBI court here Wednesday framed charges against former communications minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and five others in the alleged illegal telephone exchange case.

Judge R Vasanthi of the Additional Sessions Court for the CBI read out the charges against each accused, who were present in the court, individually.

The charges were framed under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating), and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

All the accused individually denied the charges against them.

The judge then posted the case to February 19, when the trial would begin with the examination of the witnesses.

On March 14 last year, the CBI court had discharged all the accused, holding there was no prima facie case against them.

But the Madras High Court on July 25 quashed the order, holding there was 'heaps' of materials against the Maran brothers and other accused to proceed.

The high court order was challenged by ...