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End of Maran. ..
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MHA may review decision on Sun TV after Maran letter
MUMBAI: A day after Sun TV Network chairman and managing director Kalanithi Maran wrote to Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the issue of security clearance, the latter seems to have changed his mind.
According to newswire PTI, the MHA might review its decision of not granting security clearance to Sun TV Network channels if it is convinced that the legal grounds on which it denied permission is not satisfactory.
“If a sound legal opinion comes saying that all these alleged offences would not compromise country’s economic security, we may go for a review.
But someone has to give proper reasons and tell us that the grounds on which the security clearance was withdrawn were not satisfactory,” PTI quotes an unnamed source as saying.
The MHA had last week denied security clearance to Sun TV Network channels in view of pending cases against Kalanithi Maran, namely the Aircel–Maxis deal, money laundering, and illegal telephone exchange.
The denial of security clearance could result in cancellation of licences to Sun TV’s 33 channels. Instead of cancelling Sun TV’s licences, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) wrote to the MHA seeking clarification on what grounds security clearance was being denied to the company.
Meanwhile, Maran wrote to Singh requesting him to grant security clearance to his TV as well FM radio channels. He contended that Sun TV was never involved in any anti-national or criminal activity.
He also contended that the ground on which the MHA had denied security clearance to Sun TV Network was untenable and that his company was being singled out.
“There are several TV and FM radio companies, including some controlled by very large business conglomerates, which among them have pending cases involving 2G spectrum, corporate espionage at the Ministry of Petroleum, corruption involving disproportionate assets and extortions. Security clearances for these media companies have not been revoked,” Maran said in his letter.
MHA may review decision on Sun TV after Maran letter | TelevisionPost.com
MUMBAI: A day after Sun TV Network chairman and managing director Kalanithi Maran wrote to Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the issue of security clearance, the latter seems to have changed his mind.
According to newswire PTI, the MHA might review its decision of not granting security clearance to Sun TV Network channels if it is convinced that the legal grounds on which it denied permission is not satisfactory.
“If a sound legal opinion comes saying that all these alleged offences would not compromise country’s economic security, we may go for a review.
But someone has to give proper reasons and tell us that the grounds on which the security clearance was withdrawn were not satisfactory,” PTI quotes an unnamed source as saying.
The MHA had last week denied security clearance to Sun TV Network channels in view of pending cases against Kalanithi Maran, namely the Aircel–Maxis deal, money laundering, and illegal telephone exchange.
The denial of security clearance could result in cancellation of licences to Sun TV’s 33 channels. Instead of cancelling Sun TV’s licences, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) wrote to the MHA seeking clarification on what grounds security clearance was being denied to the company.
Meanwhile, Maran wrote to Singh requesting him to grant security clearance to his TV as well FM radio channels. He contended that Sun TV was never involved in any anti-national or criminal activity.
He also contended that the ground on which the MHA had denied security clearance to Sun TV Network was untenable and that his company was being singled out.
“There are several TV and FM radio companies, including some controlled by very large business conglomerates, which among them have pending cases involving 2G spectrum, corporate espionage at the Ministry of Petroleum, corruption involving disproportionate assets and extortions. Security clearances for these media companies have not been revoked,” Maran said in his letter.
MHA may review decision on Sun TV after Maran letter | TelevisionPost.com
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first govt should close how many days they will loot
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Sun TV network may get a reprieve
The Home Ministry on Friday hinted that it may review its decision to withdraw security clearance for 33 channels of the Sun TV Network, if a sound legal opinion could satisfy it that the grounds on which the permission was denied were not satisfactory.
Sources said the security clearance was withdrawn as its promoter Kalanithi Maran and his brother and former Union minister Dayanidhi Maran, were facing a CBI probe over alleged allotment of 300 high- speed BSNL telephone lines to their installations.
There are two other pending criminal probes against the network and Mr. Kalanithi Maran— CBI’s Aircel-Maxis case and an Enforcement Directorate case of money laundering.
“If a sound legal opinion comes saying that all these alleged offences would not compromise the country’s economic security, we may go for a review. But someone has to give proper reasons and tell us that the grounds on which the security clearance was withdrawn were not satisfactory,” a source said.
The Home Ministry last week struck down an I&B Ministry’s proposal for giving security clearance to the 33 channels, a move that could lead to cancellation of their broadcasting licence.
Following this Mr. Kalanithi Maran wrote a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, saying his firm was never involved in any anti-national or criminal activity.
Sun TV network may get a reprieve - The Hindu
The Home Ministry on Friday hinted that it may review its decision to withdraw security clearance for 33 channels of the Sun TV Network, if a sound legal opinion could satisfy it that the grounds on which the permission was denied were not satisfactory.
Sources said the security clearance was withdrawn as its promoter Kalanithi Maran and his brother and former Union minister Dayanidhi Maran, were facing a CBI probe over alleged allotment of 300 high- speed BSNL telephone lines to their installations.
There are two other pending criminal probes against the network and Mr. Kalanithi Maran— CBI’s Aircel-Maxis case and an Enforcement Directorate case of money laundering.
“If a sound legal opinion comes saying that all these alleged offences would not compromise the country’s economic security, we may go for a review. But someone has to give proper reasons and tell us that the grounds on which the security clearance was withdrawn were not satisfactory,” a source said.
The Home Ministry last week struck down an I&B Ministry’s proposal for giving security clearance to the 33 channels, a move that could lead to cancellation of their broadcasting licence.
Following this Mr. Kalanithi Maran wrote a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, saying his firm was never involved in any anti-national or criminal activity.
Sun TV network may get a reprieve - The Hindu
Rahulan Raj
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So controversy to create hype only : Effectively
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Sun TV-Home Ministry stalemate: A quick rundown
Sun TV Network has been in the news recently with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) denying the security clearance for 33 channels under the network. The MHA had also denied security clearance to the radio and cable TV businesses of the group earlier. In the week that transpired we take an in-depth look at the issue.
Sun TV rises on recent report of a review
Post media reports emerging on recently on Sunday, 14 June that the Home Ministry might review its decision on granting security clearances to the Sun TV Network had seen the publicly listed company’s stocks rise by 12% in the initial hours of trading to close a little below the 6% mark. This is positive news for the network as the stance of the MHA up until recently did not seem in anyway ready to change its decision. A home ministry official was quoted in a report saying that they are open to reviewing their opinion provided the law officers give a good legal view regarding letting the broadcast company to continue operations despite the owners or directors facing money laundering or corruption cases.
The matter is now expected to be referred to Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi as the Ministry of Information & Broadcast (MIB) and MHA seek further clarification on this issue. The decision by the law officials may change the stance of the MHA. The network’s promoter Kalanithi Maran is also expected to be in Delhi this week to meet top officials of the Home Ministry as well as the MIB, say media reports.
The Sun TV-MHA stalemate
Initial media reports emerged on Saturday, June 6 about the Home Ministry’s decision to hold back the security clearances. This saw the publicly listed media company see its biggest fall in shares to around 22% on Monday, June 8.
The network at first denied receivingany communication from the MHA or MIB regarding this decision and said that the channels would continue on air. This decision was taken on account of the promoters of the network being involved in three cases primarily. One is Sun Group promoter Maran and his brother the former Communications & IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran’s alleged involvement in the Rs.540 crore Aircel-Maxis case investigated by the CBI. The other is the Enforcement Directorate (ED) examining the Marans for the alleged laundering of funds worth Rs.550 crore.
Another case that hangs on the Marans is the allegations of an illegal telephone exchange on the premises of Sun TV for which unlawful gains are expected to be over Rs.400 crore.
These reasons are the basis for MHA’s decision to deny security clearance to the 33 channels of the network on the grounds that it could have an adverse impact on the ‘economic security’ of the country.
The MIB and the MHA have not been on the same page with regards to this issue to deny the renewal of the license to the network for which it had applied last year (for which security clearance from the home ministry is required). The MIB wrote to the MHA asking for clarification on what constitutes as ‘economic security’. It wants to know how the economic security of the country can be affected by the economic offences of a company. The MIB had also asked the MHA whether there could be a possibility of it to review the decision. While the MIB has held meetings with the law ministry officials and the law secretary to look into the issue, the MHA is said to have stayed away say media reports.
While the MIB looks for clarification from the MHA and seeks the opinion of law officials, Kalanithi Maran had written to I&B Minister Arun Jaitley during last week questioning if the basis for denying security clearance was applied on all players. He said that there were TV companies, including those controlled by big business conglomerates which had pending cases from various ministry bodies but their security clearance had not been revoked.
Maran had also written to Home Minister Rajnath Singh last week asking him to intervene on the issue and saying the company was never involved in any anti-national or criminal activity.
During last week the Madras High Court has also dismissed petitions filed by Sun TV and Kal Communications which challenged the attachment of their properties by the ED in the Aircel-Maxis case. This plea was not entertained as the case was being followed in the Supreme Court. This would have come as a disappointment to the network.
Sun TV-Home Ministry stalemate: A quick rundown
Sun TV Network has been in the news recently with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) denying the security clearance for 33 channels under the network. The MHA had also denied security clearance to the radio and cable TV businesses of the group earlier. In the week that transpired we take an in-depth look at the issue.
Sun TV rises on recent report of a review
Post media reports emerging on recently on Sunday, 14 June that the Home Ministry might review its decision on granting security clearances to the Sun TV Network had seen the publicly listed company’s stocks rise by 12% in the initial hours of trading to close a little below the 6% mark. This is positive news for the network as the stance of the MHA up until recently did not seem in anyway ready to change its decision. A home ministry official was quoted in a report saying that they are open to reviewing their opinion provided the law officers give a good legal view regarding letting the broadcast company to continue operations despite the owners or directors facing money laundering or corruption cases.
The matter is now expected to be referred to Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi as the Ministry of Information & Broadcast (MIB) and MHA seek further clarification on this issue. The decision by the law officials may change the stance of the MHA. The network’s promoter Kalanithi Maran is also expected to be in Delhi this week to meet top officials of the Home Ministry as well as the MIB, say media reports.
The Sun TV-MHA stalemate
Initial media reports emerged on Saturday, June 6 about the Home Ministry’s decision to hold back the security clearances. This saw the publicly listed media company see its biggest fall in shares to around 22% on Monday, June 8.
The network at first denied receivingany communication from the MHA or MIB regarding this decision and said that the channels would continue on air. This decision was taken on account of the promoters of the network being involved in three cases primarily. One is Sun Group promoter Maran and his brother the former Communications & IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran’s alleged involvement in the Rs.540 crore Aircel-Maxis case investigated by the CBI. The other is the Enforcement Directorate (ED) examining the Marans for the alleged laundering of funds worth Rs.550 crore.
Another case that hangs on the Marans is the allegations of an illegal telephone exchange on the premises of Sun TV for which unlawful gains are expected to be over Rs.400 crore.
These reasons are the basis for MHA’s decision to deny security clearance to the 33 channels of the network on the grounds that it could have an adverse impact on the ‘economic security’ of the country.
The MIB and the MHA have not been on the same page with regards to this issue to deny the renewal of the license to the network for which it had applied last year (for which security clearance from the home ministry is required). The MIB wrote to the MHA asking for clarification on what constitutes as ‘economic security’. It wants to know how the economic security of the country can be affected by the economic offences of a company. The MIB had also asked the MHA whether there could be a possibility of it to review the decision. While the MIB has held meetings with the law ministry officials and the law secretary to look into the issue, the MHA is said to have stayed away say media reports.
While the MIB looks for clarification from the MHA and seeks the opinion of law officials, Kalanithi Maran had written to I&B Minister Arun Jaitley during last week questioning if the basis for denying security clearance was applied on all players. He said that there were TV companies, including those controlled by big business conglomerates which had pending cases from various ministry bodies but their security clearance had not been revoked.
Maran had also written to Home Minister Rajnath Singh last week asking him to intervene on the issue and saying the company was never involved in any anti-national or criminal activity.
During last week the Madras High Court has also dismissed petitions filed by Sun TV and Kal Communications which challenged the attachment of their properties by the ED in the Aircel-Maxis case. This plea was not entertained as the case was being followed in the Supreme Court. This would have come as a disappointment to the network.
Sun TV-Home Ministry stalemate: A quick rundown
Dileep Kumar
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Options facing Sun TV
The MHA is expected to review the security clearance for the network if the Attorney General as well as top law officials are of the opinion that the odds are favouring Sun TV. As an MHA official in a recent media report was quoted saying that let a legal authority take responsibility for such a review of the existing position and they will then take a call. The delinking of the cases attached to the promoters from the network could see it getting the security clearance and the license for the 33 channels.
If the MHA’s decision stays the network has the option of approaching the courts and contending the order. It had done so when its FM radio and cable TV businesses had been denied renewal of their licenses.
The MHA is expected to review the security clearance for the network if the Attorney General as well as top law officials are of the opinion that the odds are favouring Sun TV. As an MHA official in a recent media report was quoted saying that let a legal authority take responsibility for such a review of the existing position and they will then take a call. The delinking of the cases attached to the promoters from the network could see it getting the security clearance and the license for the 33 channels.
If the MHA’s decision stays the network has the option of approaching the courts and contending the order. It had done so when its FM radio and cable TV businesses had been denied renewal of their licenses.
Dileep Kumar
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Home Ministry not to respond to Maran’s letter
NEW DELHI: Rajnath Singh will not intervene in the matter of granting security clearance to Sun TV channels as requested by Kalanithi Maran in his recent letter to the Home Minister.
The Home Ministry will not respond to Maran’s letter as it had already clarified the reasons for the rejection, according to a PTI report.
Maran had asked Singh to intervene in the matter and grant security clearance to Sun TV channels and its radio stations.
“If the Sun TV moves the court, we will tell the court. But as of now, we have no plans to write them back as we have already clarified the reasons for the denial of security clearance,” PTI quotes a source as saying.
The union government had yesterday filed an appeal in the Madras High Court challenging the single-judge bench’s relief to multi-system operator (MSO) Kal Cables.
Maran had said that the grounds on which security clearance was denied to Sun TV channel was ‘untenable’ and that his company has been singled out.
“There are several TV and FM Radio companies, including some controlled by very large business conglomerates, which among them have pending cases involving 2G spectrum, corporate espionage at the Ministry of Petroleum, corruption involving disproportionate assets and extortions. Security clearances for these media companies have not been revoked,” Maran said in the letter.
Home Ministry not to respond to Maran’s letter | TelevisionPost.com
NEW DELHI: Rajnath Singh will not intervene in the matter of granting security clearance to Sun TV channels as requested by Kalanithi Maran in his recent letter to the Home Minister.
The Home Ministry will not respond to Maran’s letter as it had already clarified the reasons for the rejection, according to a PTI report.
Maran had asked Singh to intervene in the matter and grant security clearance to Sun TV channels and its radio stations.
“If the Sun TV moves the court, we will tell the court. But as of now, we have no plans to write them back as we have already clarified the reasons for the denial of security clearance,” PTI quotes a source as saying.
The union government had yesterday filed an appeal in the Madras High Court challenging the single-judge bench’s relief to multi-system operator (MSO) Kal Cables.
Maran had said that the grounds on which security clearance was denied to Sun TV channel was ‘untenable’ and that his company has been singled out.
“There are several TV and FM Radio companies, including some controlled by very large business conglomerates, which among them have pending cases involving 2G spectrum, corporate espionage at the Ministry of Petroleum, corruption involving disproportionate assets and extortions. Security clearances for these media companies have not been revoked,” Maran said in the letter.
Home Ministry not to respond to Maran’s letter | TelevisionPost.com
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