The ED was acting as someone’s handmaiden, the former Telecom Minister alleged and said he would fight this legally.

Former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran on Thursday said the Enforcement Directorate had attached assets worth Rs. 742.58 crore held by him and his brother’s family under “political compulsions” to “please someone.”

“These investments came when I was not even a Minister. Only proceeds of crime can be attached. Here they have attached properties which are pre-dated,” Mr. Maran told The Hindu.

In a statement, he said the ED’s investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act based on CBI findings that he had allegedly received illegal gratification from Maxis has been used to bring disrepute to him.

In this case, he alleged that the ED had set aside legal provisions while attaching a long list of properties that were purchased several years before Astro began investing in Sun Direct and South Asia FM towards the end of 2007. By that time, Mr. Maran said he had resigned as Union Minister.

This clearly showed that it was to fulfil someone else’s motive, he charged.

The Aircel-Maxis issue was completely above board and even in arbitration at Singapore the deal was declared legal.

The ED was acting as someone’s handmaiden, Mr. Maran alleged and said he would fight this legally.