Chennai : The Sun Network, owned by media baron Kalanithi Maran, scored a legal victory on Tuesday when the Madras HC quashed the order of the Centre denying security clearance to the company, which made them ineligible to participate in Phase III auctions for FM Radio licenses.
Passing orders on eight writ pleas moved by Sun Network companies Justice M Duraiswamy said, “It is clear that the petitioner companies or its directors / key executives have not come to any adverse notice from the security point of view. In these circumstances the Union Ministry of Home Affairs should not have denied security clearance to the companies.” The judge based his order on the basis of the “classified reports” of the Intelligence Bureau that was now in the custody of the court.
In July 2015, the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued an order denying permission to the Sun Network companies to migrate to FM Phase III regime.