The Central Bureau of Investigation today filed a chargesheet against the then Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanithi among others for allegedly using 764 high-speed data lines at the former's residence which were used by a private TV channel causing loss of Rs 1.78 crore to the exchequer.

The chargesheet has been filed in a Special Court in Chennai under Indian Penal Code sections related to criminal conspiracy and forgery and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, the CBI said.

The agency has alleged in the chargesheet that altogether 764 telephone numbers were provided to Dayanidhi for which no bills were raised causing a loss of Rs 1.78 crore to BSNL, Chennai and MTNL, Delhi.

The CBI also named the former minister's brother Kalanithi Maran who was Managing Director of Sun TV Network Limited, two the then Chief General Managers of BSNL, two executives of Sun TV network and an aide of Dayanidhi in the chargesheet.-- PTI