Major reprieve for Chandy in Solar scam

The vigilance court ordered to register an FIR against the Chief Minister and conduct a probe against him in the solar panel scam case after Sarita Nair, one of the key accused, told the judicial commission that she had paid Chandy a bribe of Rs 1.90 crore and Muhammed Rs 40 lakh to win government subsidy and other benefits for her solar power venture. 

Vigilance Judge S S Vassan while hearing a public interest litigation, filed by activist P D Joseph, who produced newspaper reports carrying Sarita’s statement, sent the complaint to the VACB Director to conduct an investigation into the case.

Chandy’s former aides Jikkumon Jacob, Tenny Joppen, Saritha Nair, former minister K B Ganesh Kumar, Kumar private secretary Pradeep Kumar and Muhammed’s private secretary Keshavan, were mentioned as respondents in the petition. 

The High Court judge said in his order, “I am not supposed to make any comment. I have to bear in mind the Constitution, be it a village man or the chief minister, the law is equal to all public servants.’’ 

However, high court judge P Ubaid while staying the vigilance court order came down heavily on the judge and said the vigilance should not have gone after revelations and should not have made unwarranted observation. 

The scam also has connections in Tamil Nadu as the directors of the Kerala firm involved in the solar panel scam have reportedly cheated two investors from Coimbatore district. The directors were first arrested in Coimbatore and then taken to Kerala for interrogations. A case is still pending in a local Coimbatore court.