Kavya Maran's Father and Sunrisers Hyderabad Owner Faces Legal Fire from Brother Over Sun TV Share Scam

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Former Union Minister and DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran has sent a legal notice to his brother Kalanithi Maran, chairman of Sun TV Network and father of IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad's CEO Kavya Maran, alleging serious financial misconduct in connection to the shareholding patterns of the media giant.

The legal notice, dated 10 June 2025, accuses Kalanithi Maran and his wife Kaveri Maran of orchestrating "fraudulent practices," including "cheating and money laundering," during the period following the critical illness and eventual passing of their father Murasoli Maran, a veteran DMK leader and nephew of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

The notice, sent by K Suresh of Law Dharma, claims that in September 2003, Kalanithi and Kaveri engaged in a "deceptive and devious plan in active conspiracy" with six others. It alleges that Kalanithi exploited the family's emotional vulnerability at the time of their father's deteriorating health and transferred shares to their mother Mallika Maran "without proper legal documents like a death certificate or legal heir certificate," which were issued only days or months later.

The document specifically alleges that Kalanithi allotted 12,00,000 equity shares to himself at a face value of Rs 10 each on 15 September 2003, despite the market value of those shares ranging between Rs 2,500-Rs 3,000 at the time.

It adds that the company was financially sound at the time and did not need fresh capital, making the allotment unnecessary and allegedly illegal. According to the notice, Kalanithi previously held no shares in Sun TV but became the majority shareholder through this move, effectively reducing the shareholding of the original families from 50% each to just 20%.

The notice also says that Dayanidhi Maran will seek a government investigation by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), calling the move a serious offence under company law and criminal law.
It further says Kalanithi has earned Rs 5,926 crore in dividends till 2023, and Rs 455 crore in 2024 alone. The notice also brings up a previous issue, alleging that MK Dayalu's stake in Sun TV was bought for just Rs 100 crore, though the company's actual valuation was significantly higher after its IPO.

The notice claims the proceeds were then used to acquire a series of assets and companies, including:

Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd

Kal Radios Pvt Ltd

Kal Airways Pvt Ltd

Kal Publications Pvt Ltd

Sun Pictures

South Asian FM

Sunrisers Hyderabad

A franchise team in South Africa named Sunrisers Eastern Cape

A cricket team in the United Kingdom

SpiceJet

The legal document demands restoration of the shareholding structure to what it was on 15 September 2003, and insists that Kalanithi and Kaveri return all monetary benefits, dividends, and assets received since then. If not complied with, Dayanidhi warns of civil, criminal, regulatory and enforcement proceedings.

Interestingly, the notice also mentions that a previous legal warning sent on 7 October 2024 drew a vague reply. It states that Kalanithi subsequently paid Rs 500 crore to their sister Anbukarasi as part of an alleged settlement.

Moneycontrol reports that both Maran brothers have been contacted for responses via email, calls, and messages. However, neither party nor the lawyer K Suresh has responded yet. A source close to the matter says it is being treated as a personal issue, not expected to impact Sun TV's operations.