DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran Sends Legal Notice to Brother Kalanithi Over 2003 Shareholding Dispute, Alleging Fraud in Rs 24,000 Crore Sun TV Empire

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Updated Jun 30, 2025, 12:53 PM

A legal dispute has emerged between the Maran brothers, Dayanidhi Maran and Kalanithi Maran, over control and shareholding in Sun TV Network Limited, one of India's largest media conglomerates valued at approximately Rs 24,000 crore. Dayanidhi Maran, a DMK Member of Parliament and former Union Minister, has sent a legal notice to his elder brother Kalanithi Maran, the chairman of Sun TV Network, as well as to Kalanithi's wife Kavery Kalanithi and six others. The notice alleges fraudulent practices, including cheating, money laundering, and criminal breach of trust related to share transactions dating back to 2003, accusing Kalanithi of illicitly seizing control of the company. Dayanidhi's notice demands the restoration of the 2003 shareholding structure and threatens regulatory actions such as notifying the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to cancel SpiceJet Ltd's license and approaching the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to revoke the license of the Sunrisers Hyderabad cricket team.

The dispute has drawn significant attention to Sun TV Network's shares, which fell over 5% amid the controversy before partially recovering following company clarifications. Sun TV Network has described the matter as a personal family dispute, stating that the allegations are over two decades old, incorrect, defamatory, and that all corporate actions were legally compliant and vetted by auditors and legal advisors. The feud, which reportedly first surfaced in 2007, has escalated publicly in 2025, highlighting a long-standing rift within the Maran family, who have strong political ties to the DMK party. Despite the business conflict, analysts suggest it may not spill over into the political arena.

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