Home Ministry has told the Information and Broadcasting Ministry that it can write to SunTV group giving the reasons for its refusal of security clearance to its 33 channels in case they want to issue a show cause notice to the broadcaster.
The reasons that the Home Ministry has given are understood to be the on-going probe against the group owner.
"The reply from the Home Ministry came yesterday. It was in response to our letter. The Home Ministry said that we can tell the broadcaster the reasons for the show cause as mentioned in the MHA's letter. The I&B Ministry is considering the legal options," an I&B ministry official said.
Pending criminal cases against Kalanithi Maran and his brother and former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran, are said to be the reasons for denial of security clearance.
The Maran brothers are facing a CBI probe over alleged allotment of 300 high-speed BSNL telephone lines to the residence of former Communications and Information Technology Minister Dayanidhi Maran in Chennai which were extended to his brother's channel.
There are two other pending criminal probes against SunTV Network and its owner Kalanithi Maran - CBI's Aircel-Maxis case and an Enforcement Directorate case of money laundering.
A security clearance is mandatory for companies to operate channels.
Earlier, the Home Ministry had written to the I&B ministry telling that the security clearance has been denied to the SunTV network after which I&B ministry had been contemplating to issue a show cause notice.
The dilemma of the I&B officials was that if they don't specify reasons for denial of security clearance in the show cause notice, the concerned party won't be getting a chance to present their side.
In most cases, sources said, the Home Ministry does not clarify why security clearance was denied.
But, after a recent letter by the I&B Ministry, the MHA gave the reasons to its counterpart yesterday.
Meanwhile, the I&B Ministry is examining all legal options.
Significantly, even if a show cause notice is issued, the channel may not be immediately put off-air as the entire process may take some time.
