The Malaysian government has raised certain objections to summons issued against four accused residing there in connection with the Aircel-Maxis deal case and these queries have to be replied to the satisfaction of authorities in Kuala Lumpur, CBI today told a Delhi court.
The agency said these objections have to be replied to through diplomatic channels and it would take six months time to serve the summons upon them.
It said that summons issued against Malaysian business tycoon T Ananda Krishnan, accused Augustus Ralph Marshall and two firms have not been served upon them yet and the Malaysian authorities have sent some queries to the Indian High Commission.
“Processes sent to accused Augustus Ralph Marshall, T Ananda Krishnan, Maxis Communications Berhad and Astro All Asia Network Plc, who are all residents of/situated in Malaysia, have not been received back, served or unserved.
“Senior public prosecutor has filed an application submitting that Malaysian authorities have raised certain queries regarding processes issued by this court and the same are required to be replied diplomatically,” Special CBI Judge O P Saini noted in his order.
During the hearing, senior public prosecutor K K Goel said at least six months time may be granted for ensuring service of summons to these accused as the Malaysian authorities have raised certain objections “regarding the instant case, which are required to be replied to their satisfaction through diplomatic channels“.
“In view of the submissions made at the bar, prayer allowed. As the four accused are required to be served through diplomatic channels, six months time is allowed for service of fresh summons. Accordingly, issue fresh summons to the aforesaid four accused for July 11, 2016,” the court said.
The agency said a letter dated November 2, 2015 along with some annexures have been received by the Indian High Commission from the Malaysian government in this regard.
Besides these four accused, CBI had chargesheeted former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran, his brother Kalanithi Maran and two other firms - Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd and South Asia Entertainment Holding Ltd - as accused in the case.