Maran, all accused discharged in Aircel-Maxis case

A special court here on Thursday discharged all accused in the Aircel-Maxis case, including former Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had alleged Dayanidhi Maran, as Minister in the UPA-I government used his influence to help Malaysian businessman T.A. Ananda Krishnan buy Aircel by coercing its owner Sivasankaran to part with his stake.

Along with Maran, his brother and businessman Kalanithi Maran, Chennai-based firm Sun Direct TV, Krishnan, his aide Augustus Ralph Marshall, and the two accused firms -- Maxis Communications Berhad and Astro All Asia Networks, both of Malaysia, were charged in the case.