Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi has supported grant of security clearance to 33 channels of the Kalanithi Maran-promoted Sun TV Network, saying investigation into alleged corruption by the network’s promoter cannot be grounds to deny clearance.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had recently approached the Law Ministry to seek the opinion of the top law officer after the Home Ministry denied security clearance to the network. In his opinion, the Attorney-General has said that security clearance can be granted as agencies are probing cases related to corruption and not security. Hence, he said, corruption cases cannot be the reason to deny the network security clearance.

Where two ministries differ, the opinion of the Attorney-General is usually accepted though it is not binding. Sources did not rule out the matter being referred to an inter-ministerial group for a final call. The I&B Ministry issues broadcasting licences to companies, which, in turn, seek a security nod from the MHA.

The Home Ministry’s denial of security clearance to the television network is believed to have been influenced by pending corruption cases against Maran and his brother, former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran. The television channels could, however, seek legal recourse. The Sun TV Network is one of India’s largest media groups; its television channels reach more than 95 million households.

The network had applied to the I&B Ministry seeking to renew its broadcasting licence for 10 years for which it needed the MHA nod. Sun TV shares surged almost 8 per cent to ₹333.55 on the BSE. In intra-day, it surged 10.68 per cent to ₹342.30.

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