CBI examining documents of Aircel-Maxis deal

New Delhi, Aug 17: The CBI is examining the documents submitted by Standard Chartered Bank in connection with its probe into former Aircel chief C Sivasankaran's allegations that then Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran forced him to sell his company to Malaysia-based Maxis group in 2006.

The documents were handed over to the CBI after some bank officials were recently questioned. The agency has registered a preliminary enquiry into sale of telecom spectrum during 2001-07.

Sources in the agency said examination was being done with the help of some bank officials deputed by the Reserve Bank of India.

They said Standard Chartered was the banker in the deal in which Maxis bought 74 per cent stake in Aircel, adding the documents could provide crucial details about the financial transactions.

Sivasankaran had alleged in a statement before the agency that he was forced to sell his stake in Aircel by Maran and his brother Kalanidhi at a very cheap price to Malaysia-based Maxis, which is considered closed to the Marans.

The allegations have been refuted by Dayanidhi who maintains that he did not play any role in the Aircel-Maxis deal.

Sources said the CBI primarily wants to get details of correspondence of bank with both parties -- Sivasankaran and Maxis officials -- and the manner in which entire deal was done.

The CBI in the preliminary enquiry is verifying the allegations levelled by Sivasankaran, the sources said.

PTI