The mutual discord of the Maran brothers has now come to the fore. Former Union Minister and DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran has sent a legal notice to his elder brother Kalanidhi Maran. In the notice, Kalanidhi has been accused of fraud and money laundering. Billionaire businessman Kalanidhi Maran is the founder and chairman of Sun Group with Sun TV network. He owns several television channels, newspapers, weekly magazines, FM Radio Station, DTH Services, Movie Production House Sun Pictures and 2 cricket teams- IPL Sunrisers Hyderabad and South Africa T20 League Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
The legal notice of Dayanidhi Maran has demanded to be reinstated in the 2003 original structure of Sun TV. For this, the legacy of the late father of Maran brothers and former Union Minister SN Maran i.e. Murasoli Maran, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Dayalu has been cited. Murasoli Maran was the leader of the DMK party and M. Karunanidhi was his maternal uncle. This notice, which is date of 10 June 2025, has been sent to seven other defenders including Kalanidhi Maran and his wife Kaveri Maran. Moneycontrol has seen a copy of the notice.
Accused of grabbing company by plotting
The notice alleges that Kalanidhi Maran and his wife Kaveri Maran conspired with others to take possession of the entire company and its properties for their benefit. Taking advantage of the family’s situation to carry out the plan of fraud, especially when SN Maran was very bad, he could pass at any time and the whole family was worried about his deteriorating health. It was alleged that Kalanidhi Maran and his wife started their first illegal activity in September 2003.
It is alleged that after the death of father Murasoli Maran in 2003, shares were transferred to his mother Mallika Maran without appropriate legal documents such as the death certificate or legal successor certificate. This transfer of shares was allegedly made to help Kalanidhi Maran to transfer the share.
Kalyan Jewellers are going to return good days! Share slipped 34% so far this year, now CITI shows the power to climb 27%
Kalanidhi shared like this
It has been further alleged that Kalanidhi allotted himself 12 lakh equity shares at Rs 10 per share on 15 September 2003, which is criminal betrayal and fraud work. This happened when the value of Sun TV shares was between Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 at the time. The notice further stated, “In other words, Kalanidhi allotted 60% shares of 60% shares of Messrs Sun TV Private Limited at a face value of Rs 10 per share without any consultation or approval from the then mazority/promoter Oriji Nal shareholders.” At that time the company was financially strong and there was no need to raise money, so there was no reason to release these shares.
Earlier, Kalanidhi had no shares, but after this step he became a mazority owner. According to the notice, the shares of the original Families were reduced from 50% to only 20%. Kalanidhi Maran currently owns a 75 percent stake in listed company Sun TV network.
The notice alleged, “The alleged payment of Rs 1.2 crore for allotment of 12,00,000 equity shares and the actual estimated value of 12,00,000 equity shares between Rs 3500 crore, the difference between Rs 3500 crore, the income of the crime.
Crime made yourself prosperous with the income of crime
It further alleges that Kalanidhi Maran used this income of crime, Valuable Assets/Companies, such as Sun Direct TV Private Limited, Kaal Radio Private Limited, Kaal Airways Private Limited, Kaal Publication Private Limited, Sunrisers Hyderabad, South Asian FM, Sun Pictures, South Africa, one cricket team in South Africa SpiceJet’s purchase and other downstreams to enrich yourself through investments.
It has been alleged that Sun TV misled its stakeholders in its Red hering prospectus filed in 2006. It was said that in the Red Herring Prospectus of Sun TV Limited, it was reported that mother Mallika Maran was paid Rs 10.64 crore as a dividend from 31-12-2005. However, he was not given any such amount in the year 2005 as a dividend. Red Herring Prospectus has declared false information and the general public has been cheated. It has also been said that Kalanidhi has acquired an amount of Rs 5,926 crore in 2023 and Rs 455 crore in 2024 alone as a dividend.
The notice stated that Dayanidhi Maran will demand a government inquiry on behalf of the serious fraud investigation office (SFIO), as these work is a serious offense under the company and criminal laws and includes money laundering.
Nestle India is preparing to distribute bonus shares, board meetings fixed
What do Dayanidhi want from Kalanidhi and Kaveri Kalanidhi
The notice has demanded that Kalanidhi Sun TV Network Limited and all other concerned companies restore their original shareholding at exactly the same level as it was on 15.09.2003, the shares were correct owners i.e. MK. Massive and late S.N. Maran’s legal heirs should be restored. Apart from this, Kalanidhi and his wife Kaveri Kalanidhi, without any delay, all forms of all types of monetary benefits, dividend, property and income have been illegally received by them from the year 2003. Massive and late S.N. It is directed to return the legal heirs of Maran. If this is not done, all the appropriate civil, criminal, regulatory and enforcement proceedings against him and their colleagues can be started.
