CBI today conducted raids at nine places in Delhi and Chennai in connection with the controversial Aircel-Maxis deal. CBI sources told our correspondent that the raids were conducted at the premises of former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran and several others in connection with the case. Raids have reportedly been carried out in Hyderabad also. Sources said some incriminating documents were recovered during the raids. The agency has also booked Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanidhi Maran, besides Maxis owner T Ananda Krishnan and senior executive Ralph Marshall. Three other companies have also been booked in the case on charges of criminal conspiracy under IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act. CBI conducted the raids after registering a case against the accused.

It has been alleged by former Aircel Chief C Sivasankaran that Dayanidhi Maran as the then Telecom Minister reportedly favoured Maxis-group in the takeover of his company and in return investments were made by the company through Astro network in Sun TV owned by Maran family.

The CBI, in its recent status report to the Supreme Court, had said that during Maran's tenure there was deliberate delay to provide letter of intent to Sivasankaran.