Sun TV Network Conflict: Dayanidhi Maran Accuses Kalanithi Of Cheating And Money Laundering

Dayanidhi Maran, a former Union Minister and DMK MP, has issued a legal notice to his brother Kalanithi Maran. This highlights a family conflict among the owners of Sun TV Network Limited, one of India's largest media networks. The notice accuses Kalanithi of "fraudulent practices," including "cheating and money laundering," and demands the restoration of the company's shareholding to its original 2003 structure.

The legal notice, dated 10 June 2025, was served to Kalanithi Maran and seven others, including his wife, Kaveri Maran. It was delivered by K Suresh from Law Dharma, a litigation support firm based in Chennai. Moneycontrol has obtained a copy of the notice and reached out to both Maran brothers for comments via email, calls, and messages. Updates will follow if they respond.

Allegations of Fraudulent Practices

The notice claims that Kalanithi Maran orchestrated a plan with others to take over the company for personal gain. It alleges that this scheme began in September 2003 when their father Murasoli Maran was critically ill. The notice accuses Kalanithi of exploiting the family's vulnerable situation during this time.

After their father's death in 2003, shares were allegedly transferred to their mother Mallika Maran without proper documentation like a death certificate or legal heir certificate. These documents were issued only later. The transfer supposedly aimed to facilitate moving shares to Kalanithi Maran later on.

Disputed Share Allotment

The notice further alleges that on 15 September 2003, Kalanithi allotted himself 12 lakh equity shares at Rs 10 each. This act is described as an "illegal act of criminal breach of trust and cheating." At that time, the shares were valued between Rs 2,500-Rs 3,000 according to the notice.

Kalanithi did not own any shares before this move but became the majority owner afterward. This reduced the original families' shares from 50% each to just 20%. Currently, he owns 75 percent in Sun TV network and is among India's wealthiest businessmen with a net worth of $2.9 billion.

Call for Government Investigation

The notice states that Dayanidhi Maran will seek an investigation by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). It argues these actions are serious crimes under company and criminal laws, including money laundering.

The difference between the alleged payment for share allotment and their actual value is described as proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 3498.8 crores. The notice claims these funds have been used for personal enrichment through acquisitions like Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd and SpiceJet.

Demands for Restoration

The notice demands that Kalanithi restore Sun TV Network Limited's shareholding position as it was on 15 September 2003. It also calls for returning all monetary benefits received unlawfully since then to M.K. Dayalu and S.N. Maran's legal heirs.

If these demands aren't met promptly, civil, criminal, regulatory, and enforcement proceedings may be initiated against him and his associates.

Previous Disputes Highlighted

The notice also revisits an earlier dispute between the Karunanidhi and Maran families over MK Dayalu's stake in Sun TV being bought out for Rs 100 crores when its value was much higher post-IPO.

Additionally, it questions details in Sun TV's Red Herring Prospectus filed in 2006 regarding dividend payments to Mallika Maran which allegedly never occurred as stated.

An earlier notice sent on October 7th elicited a vague reply from Kalanithi who allegedly paid another sibling Rs 500 crores towards part settlement afterward.

Moneycontrol could not confirm if Kalanithi has responded yet but sources suggest this is considered a "personal matter" unlikely affecting Sun TV's operations significantly.