NEW DELHI: The Home Ministry has granted security clearance to a director of SUN DTH, while making it clear that it should not be seen as a security clearance for the company owned by former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran’s family.
According to sources, the file seeking security clearance for its new director was recently sent to the Home Ministry, which had earlier denied clearance to 40 FM radio stations and 33 TV channels of the group.
Responding to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s question over on reasons be cited to the broadcasters as natural justice demanded showcause notice be issued to them, the Home Ministry said a showcause notice could be issued to the broadcasters citing the reasons. The sources said the reasons pertained to criminal investigations against the management of the Sun Group.
The I&B Ministry is seeking legal opinion on the subject before proceeding further. As the showcause notice has to be issued, the channels may not immediately go off air, and can continue until the proceedings are decided by the I&B Ministry.