Former Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran had allegedly received bribe of Rs 742 crore for coercing entrepreneur C Sivasankaran to sell his Telecom company Aircel to Malaysia-based Maxis, according to the CBI.

"Investigation revealed that Dayanidhi Maran, the then telecom minister in abuse of official position constricted the business environment of Aircel Televentures Limited on frivolous ground with an intent to force its exit from telecom business and its sale to Maxis Communication, Malaysia,"

The CBI has alleged in its charge sheet filed today. It is alleged that various proposals, which were crucial to functioning of Aircel--including licenses for various circles and change in equity -- were kept pending by Maran on frivolous grounds for nearly eight months despite clearances from the various department.

"Sivasankaran wanted to sell the Aircel Cellular Limited to Aircel Digilink India Ltd, owned by Hutchison Essar Limited, but allegedly the minister kept the matter pending for eight month in respect of change in equity share pattern of Aircel Limited to Aircel Digilink India Limited despite unanimous recommendation from the officials of Department of Telecom," the CBI claimed.