Denied natural justice by government in solar case: Chandy

Press Trust of India  |  Kochi 

Former chief minister Oommen Chandy, who is facing a probe in connection with the multi- crore solar panel scam, today alleged that he was being denied natural justice by the CPI(M)-led in the case.

Chandy said he has not been provided with a copy of the report submitted to the state by Justice G Sivarajan Commission which probed the scam.


The scam relates to a fraudulent company collecting money from people by leveraging its connections with top officials.

The senior leader said he would file an application before Chief Minister seeking a copy of the report, if it was not provided to him under relevant sections of the Right to Information Act (RTI).

Soon after the ordered a probe into the scam on October 11, Chandy had moved an application before the state Chief Secretary seeking a copy of the report on the scam under the relevant provisions of the RTI Act.

"Haven't got the report so far. It is denial of natural justice," Chandy, who is preparing for a legal battle against the on the issue, told reporters here.

Chandy and other leaders have said they would challenge the decision of the CPI(M)-led to order a vigilance probe into the scam.

The had also decided to launch a probe by a special investigation team against Chandy, former ministers Aryadan Mohammed and Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan after registering a case against them in connection with the scam.

Two former MLAs -- Thampanoor Ravi and Benny Benhanan -- have also been brought under the ambit of the probe.

The commission was appointed by the previous Chandy after allegations surfaced about duping of several people of crores of rupees by the prime accused, Saritha Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan.

Announcing the probe, Chief Minister Vijayan had said a criminal case would be registered and "the SIT will probe allegations of rape levelled by Saritha against some politicians in her letter dated July 17, 2013".

Radhakrishnan, who was home and vigilance minister in the Chandy cabinet, had in order to protect the former chief minister "illegally" used police officers under him to "influence" the case, Vijayan had said.

According to the commission, a vigilance case should be registered against former power minister Aryadan Mohammed, as he had helped Saritha's Team Solar illegally.

Some state ministers, MPS and MLAs were named by Saritha in the letter when she was behind bars in connection with the case.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sat, October 14 2017. 15:48 IST