NEW DELHI: The union home ministry has refused security clearance to 33 TV channels of the Kalanithi Maran-run Sun TV group . This is the second jolt to the group this year as the home ministry earlier denied clearance to 40 radio channels of the company. Top MHA officials confirmed the development to TOI, adding that communication about the decision had been sent to the ministry of Information and broadcasting.

It’s unlikely that the channels will go off air. A decision on whether to seek a review or suspend the group’s licenses will be taken by I&B minister Arun Jaitley. Sources say the government’s decision could be challenged in court and a temporary stay given on the proceedings.

MHA’s decision to decline security clearance was taken after considering three pending cases — the Aircel-Maxis deal in which Kalanithi Maran , nephew of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, his brother Dayanidhi Maran and Sun TV have been chargesheeted by the CBI; the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering probe against the group; and another enquiry related to BSNL telephone lines run from Sun TV offices.

The MHA officials added that I&B ministry had been sent a detailed note on the reasons for rejecting the security clearance and latter would be soon also requested to cancel the licenses of the company.

I&B ministry, on its part, may seek a review of the decision as it did regarding the group FM channels. Jaitley had written to his counterpart in the home ministry Rajnath Singh asking for the decision to be relooked at. There is no word yet from the home ministry on that. The government had last year rejected security clearance for Sun group’s Kal cable prompting a cancellation of license. But a Chennai court stayed the proceedings. Something similar could happen in the case of Sun TV as well, say sources.

