Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Supreme Court Changes Witness Route in Maran Telecom Case
The Supreme Court made a decision about how an important telecom official can give evidence in Dayanidhi Maran’s case.
The Madras High Court had said the official should appear as a witness for the court.
The Supreme Court cancelled that order and brought back an earlier trial court decision.
It said Maran may call the Telecom Secretary as a defence witness if he wants to.
Maran’s lawyer had argued that the court itself should question the secretary about telecom rules.
The CBI said it would not object to the secretary appearing for the defence.
The case concerns telecom connections allegedly installed at Maran’s homes between 2004 and 2007.
Prosecutors allege that some of the facilities were used for Sun TV Network business and caused financial loss to public telecom entities.
The Supreme Court set aside the Madras High Court’s order allowing the Telecom Secretary to testify as a court witness.
It restored the trial court’s October 10, 2025 order and allowed Dayanidhi Maran to summon the secretary as a defence witness if he chooses.
The ruling came in response to a CBI appeal challenging the Madras High Court’s March 25, 2026 decision.
Maran’s lawyer argued that the secretary should appear as a court witness so the court could examine telecom procedures and norms.
The CBI alleges that telecom facilities installed at Maran’s residences were used for Sun TV Network operations, causing an estimated Rs 1.78 crore loss to public-sector telecom entities.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the CBI, former Union minister and DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, and the Union Telecom Secretary are involved.
- What
- The Supreme Court set aside the order requiring the secretary to appear as a court witness and allowed Maran to summon him as a defence witness.
- When
- The Supreme Court ruled on Friday; the challenged Madras High Court order was dated March 25, 2026, and the restored trial court order was dated October 10, 2025.
- Where
- The case is being heard before a trial court in Chennai, following proceedings in the Madras High Court and Supreme Court.
- Why
- The CBI challenged the High Court’s witness ruling, while Maran sought the secretary’s evidence on telecom procedures and his entitlement to service-category connections.
Maran’s Position
CBI and Prosecution’s Position
How the Telecom Secretary should testify
Maran’s Position
Maran’s lawyer argued that the secretary should be called as a court witness, allowing the court to question him about telecom procedures and norms.
CBI and Prosecution’s Position
The Supreme Court ruled that Maran could instead summon the secretary as a defence witness, and the CBI said it had no objection to that arrangement.
Relevance of the secretary’s evidence
Maran’s Position
Maran sought the secretary’s testimony regarding whether he was entitled to service-category telecom connections during the relevant period.
CBI and Prosecution’s Position
The CBI alleges that Maran improperly obtained extensive telecom facilities at private residences through his official position and that they were used for Sun TV Network-related business.
Alleged use of telecom facilities
Maran’s Position
Maran’s request concerns the rules and entitlement governing the connections; the articles do not report a separate substantive response from him to the CBI’s detailed allegations.
CBI and Prosecution’s Position
The prosecution alleges that connections and equipment, including telephone lines, internet links and other facilities, were improperly provided and caused an estimated Rs 1.78 crore loss to BSNL, MTNL and related public-sector entities.
- Accused
- Dayanidhi Maran, former Union Minister and DMK MP
- Supreme Court bench
- Justices K V Viswanathan and Arun Palli
- Witness decision
- Maran may summon the Telecom Secretary as a defence witness
- High Court order
- The March 25, 2026 order had allowed the secretary to testify as a court witness
- Relevant period
- The allegations date to 2004-2007, when Maran was Communications and Information Technology Minister
- Prosecution allegation
- Telecom facilities at Maran’s residences were allegedly used for Sun TV Network operations
- Estimated loss
- The CBI alleges wrongful loss of Rs 1.78 crore to public-sector telecom entities, including BSNL and MTNL
