NEW DELHI: The Centre has decided to move the Supreme Court against the Madras High Court order on July 23 that had allowed three Sun Group companies, owned by Kalanithi and Dayanidhi Maran, to take part in its FM auction.
Top government sources told Express that the decision to challenge the order has already been taken and the move is likely to be made this week. “We have had consultations with Law Ministry officials. We have enough ground to move the Supreme Court in cases related to the Madras High Court judgment where companies — Sun Network, Kal Radio and South Asia FM — in which Marans have majority share-holding, were given relief and allowed to participate in the FM auction,” the sources said.
It is learnt that several rounds of consultation were held among officials from the Law, I&B and Home ministries after the Delhi High Court judgment turning down pleas to look into the security clearance related to Sun companies.
The Home Ministry had refused to give security clearance to the Sun Group’s FM and TV channels in April-June 2015. The meeting also discussed whether the Centre at this juncture can file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the Delhi HC order that allowed Digital Radio (Delhi & Mumbai) to participate in the FM auction on the ground that the stakes of the Marans were less in these companies. “We’ve strong suspicion that these two companies are operating under a corporate veil and the government is looking into the ownership issue. The government will wait for more details before filing the SLP. However, a final decision was taken to move against the Madras HC order,” the sources added.
Appeal against delhi hc verdict
Also to be challenged is the Delhi High Court’s judgment allowing Digital Radio Ltd (Delhi and Mumbai) to participate in the auction on the ground that Marans’ stakes in these two companies was not substantial, according to sources.