A high-profile legal tussle has surfaced within the influential Maran family over the ownership and control of Sun TV Network Limited, one of India’s largest media conglomerates. Former Union Minister and DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran has issued legal notices to his brother Kalanithi Maran—Chairman of Sun TV Network—and six others, including Kalanithi’s wife Kavery Maran, alleging fraud, manipulation, and money laundering. The notice, dated June 10, was sent via Chennai-based law firm Law Dharma and accuses Kalanithi of using the family’s internal circumstances and their father Murasoli Maran’s ill health to wrongfully transfer and consolidate company shares.
According to the notice, Dayanidhi Maran claims that shares were transferred in 2003 without valid documentation and alleges he was allotted 12 lakh equity shares at a nominal ₹10 per share, far below their actual market value at the time, which he estimates to be between ₹2,500 and ₹3,000. He further accused his brother of attempting to take full control of the company and its assets for personal gain. Dayanidhi has demanded a thorough investigation into the matter by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), signalling a possible escalation of the issue to central regulatory agencies.
The dispute has revived longstanding tensions within the Maran family, which has been closely tied to the DMK and Tamil Nadu’s political and business landscape. Past controversies include allegations that late DMK leader M. Karunanidhi orchestrated the undervalued acquisition of MK Dayalu’s stake in Sun TV, allegedly disadvantaging other family members. As of now, there has been no official response from Kalanithi Maran or Sun TV Network regarding the legal notice.