The CBI, in the Supreme Court Monday, pressed for custodial interrogation of former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran.

The CBI is probing Maran in an FIR lodged in 2013 for allegedly installing 360 BSNL phone lines at his Chennai home, which were used commercially for his family-run Sun TV network. The FIR estimated a loss of over Rs. 1.7 crore to the public exchequer.

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Maran was compelled to approach the top court after the Madras High Court Monday cancelled his anticipatory bail on a request made by the CBI. The apex court has granted interim protection from arrest to Maran.

Responding to the court notice, the CBI said Maran was the “main conspirator… in the criminal conspiracy…”. The agency contended that Maran’s custodial interrogation is required to unearth a larger conspiracy about the actual use of connections for Sun TV’s benefit. The CBI assured the court that no physical harm will come to Maran in custody. A bench led by Justice T S Thakur posted the matter for hearing on October 1, granting time to Maran to file his reply.