The CBI in its status report told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that Union textile minister Dayanidhi Maran has come under the scanner in the 2G scam probe.
The CBI has accused Maran, a former telecom minister, of forcing the promoter of Chennai-based telecom company Aircel to sell his firm to Malaysian firm Maxis in 2006.
The CBI told a bench of Justice GS Singhvi and Justice AK Ganguly that it needed more time to complete its investigation in the 2G scam. The CBI said probe into all irregularities in spectrum allocation during 2001-08 will be completed within 3 months.
The investigating agency and the Enforcement Directorate further informed the apex court that they have conducted probe in seven destinations in foreign countries and tracking the money trail could take up to 18 more months.
CBI in its report has also questioned the propriety of corporate affairs ministry as well as others to comment on the status of relationship between Loop Telecom and Essar. The agency said this is unwarranted when apex court is already monitoring the investigations.
The apex court told the CBI that there is bound to be attempts to sidetrack the investigations but the agency has to move in accordance with law.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa has demanded Maran's resignation. Jayalalithaa said if the DMK leader does not quit on his own then the prime minister should ask him to step down.