The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought from the Secretary of the NGO Telecom Watchdog an explanation regarding his letter to the CBI virtually exonerating former telecom minister, Mr Dayanidhi Maran, on his alleged role in the Aircel-Maxis deal.

Mr Maran allegedly forced the entrepreneur Mr C. Sivasankaran to sell his stake in Aircel to Maxis Group of Malaysia. Mr Maran has denied this allegation.

The apex court directed the Telecom Watchdog’s Secretary, Mr Anil Kumar, to file an affidavit within a week regarding the circumstances that led him to write to the CBI giving a 'clean chit' to Mr Maran, and then later getting it published in a journal.

The NGO Secretary in his letter also reportedly accused Mr Sivasankaran. Interestingly, in an earlier plea, the NGO had characterised Mr Sivasankaran as a victim.

Telecom Watchdog, together with another NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation and journalist Mr Paranjoy Guha Thakurta had filed the petition in the 2G spectrum case.

Senior advocate Mr K.K. Venugopal, representing the CBI, had read out Mr Kumar's letter and pointed out that he has virtually given a clean chit to Mr Maran after making serious allegations against the former Minister.

Mr Kumar's conduct casts doubts on his objective behind filing the petition in the 2G case, CBI counsel said. Mr Kumar's conduct virtually interferes with the investigation and administration of justice, the CBI said.

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