Kerala solar scam: Probes to commence soon
As per norms, a statement of Saritha needed to recorded before a magistrate without delay.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the criminal cases to be registered on the basis of judicial commission report on Solar scam will be entrusted with the special investigation team (SIT) led by DGP North-zone Rajesh Dewan, the vigilance probes may be handed over to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. Rape charges against former chief minister Mr. Oommen Chandy and nine others, alleged attempt by former home minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan to scuttle the probe, alleged favours extended by many former ministers and MLAs to Team Solar and charges of destruction of evidence against ADGP K. Padmakumar and DySP K. Harikrishnan will be probed by the SIT.
The Vigilance investigation will be on the alleged acceptance of bribe by Mr. Chandy and his former personal staff members, undue favours allegedly extended by former power minister Aryadan Mohammed to Team Solar and alleged acceptance of bribe by Kerala Police Association former general secretary G.R. Ajith from Saritha S. Nair. A case would have to be registered on the basis of rape charges raised by Saritha S. Nair against Oommen Chandy and nine others as soon as the government issues formal orders regarding the investigations, police sources said.
As per norms, a statement of Saritha needed to recorded before a magistrate without delay. But arresting the accused are steps to be decided by the investigation officer subject to availability of evidence. The SIT would be holding a meeting in a couple of days and decide the further steps to be taken. The other members of the SIT are IG (police headquarters) Dinendra Kashyap, SP (crime branch Kozhikode) P.B. Rajeevan, DySP Vigilance SIU (I) Thiruvananthapuram E.S. Bijumon, DySP (CBCID), Thiruvananthapuram A. Shah Nawaz and DySP (SBCID Kollam Detachment) B. Radhakrishna Pillai. The team may be expanded further.