A day after recording the statement of the former Aircel owner, Mr C. Sivasankaran, in connection with the 2G spectrum case, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday indicated it would decide in about 20 days if a case will be made out against the Union Textiles Minister, Mr Dayanidhi Maran, who held Telecom portfolio from May 2004 to May 2007.

Highly placed CBI sources said Mr Sivasankaran also submitted a list of witnesses and documents.

“We have to verify them and see if it can be converted into a full fledged case,'' the sources said.

It would also take into account Mr Maran's denial of all allegations of “arm twisting'' Aircel.

As Mr Maran is a Union Minister, the CBI will need to take permission of the Centre under Section 6 (A) of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act before conducting any enquiry against him.

In January, on the directions of the Supreme Court, the CBI had registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) for the 2001-2007 period to ascertain if there were any violations of telecom policy or if any ulterior motives were involved in grant of licences.

The sources said the CBI would also examine the Aircel-Maxis deal. Maxis Communications Berhad, a leading Malaysian telecom company that began operations in 1995, had acquired 74 per cent stake in Aircel on March 21, 2006. Sindya Securities and Investments Private Ltd has 26 per cent equity in Aircel.

Mr Sivasankaran had alleged that he was forced by the Mr Maran to sell his Aircel stake to Maxis.

Also under the CBI lens is the report of Justice Shivraj V. Patil Committee that had faulted the functioning of Mr Maran as Communications and IT Minister between May 2004 and May 2007.

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