Solar scam: CM phoned mom asking not to reveal details, says prime accused
Thrissur: Continuing her attack on Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Saritha S Nair, prime accused in the solar scam, alleged that he had telephoned her mother to influence her not to reveal facts related to the case while she was lodged in jail in 2013.
The alleged scam pertains to cheating several persons by offering solar panel solutions. The order sparked demands for their resignation. Mr Chandy said he was prepared to face any probe.
Ms Saritha said she could produce evidence to prove her charges with regard to alleged involvement of influential people in the scam. Chandy and Arayadan have rejected the allegations.
Later, Congress dismissed demands for the resignation of Mr Chandy in the wake of a vigilance court ordering registration of an FIR against him. The BJP, however, demanded immediate resignation of Mr Chandy saying he has no “locus standi” to be in his chair following state vigilance court's order.
The CPI also asked the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to respect “morality” in political life and step down from his post “forthwith”.
A vigilance court on Thursday ordered the vigilance director to file an FIR and conduct an inquiry against Chandy and power minister Aryadan Muhammed on a petition alleging that they had taken bribes of Rs1.9 crore and Rs 40 lakh respectively from solar scam accused Saritha S. Nair.
The vigilance court also ordered the registration of cases against solar scam accused Saritha S. Nair for offering bribes, and on five others, including former forest minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar and his secretary, Kerala Chief Minister’s former personal staff Tenny Joppen and Jikumon, and power minister Aryadan Muhammed’s private secretary P.A. Kesavan, for their alleged involvement in the scam.
“I am not supposed to make comments with regard to the merits of the case and I have not made any comments. I have to bear in mind Article 14. Be it a village man or the chief minister, law is equal to all public servants,” Vigilance special judge S.S. Vassan said in his order.
