Report on multi-crore solar scam submitted to Kerala CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 26 (IANS) The report into a multi-crore solar energy investment fraud, which rocked the Oommen Chandy government in 2013, was submitted to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday.

The Solar Judicial Commission report was submitted by Justice (retd) G. Sivarajan to Vijayan at his office here.

Sivarajan, who was mobbed by the media as he came out, refused to divulge any details of the four-volume report. "He (Vijayan) told me that he will brief the media about the report," Sivarajan said before driving away.

The case broke out in June 2013 during Chandy's rule (2011-16) after reports surfaced that three of the Chief Minister's Office staff had contacts with a couple that cheated many investors by taking money for supplying solar panels to them.

Incidentally, the Commission was appointed by the Chandy government in October 2013 to probe the scam after the then Left opposition led a massive onslaught both inside and outside the assembly, forcing Chandy to announce a judicial probe.

The couple -- Saritha Nair and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan -- were subsequently arrested. While Nair is out on bail, Radhakrishnan is still in custody after it came to light that he murdered his first wife.

To make the probe credible, the then state government included in the terms of reference all statements made by the then Left opposition inside and outside the assembly.

Earlier in the day, Chandy, told journalists at the party headquarters, said that he believes in the judicial system. "Let the report come as it's the responsibility of the Commission," he said.

In her reaction, Saritha Nair said: "I expect that the Commission will have done an impartial job."