Solar scam: High court makes critical observations on Chandy

Kochi, July 23: In a setback to the Congress-led UDF Government headed by Oommen Chandy which is already on the backfoot over the solar panel scam, Kerala High Court today made some sharp critical observations about the ongoing probes into the case.

While considering the bail application of television actress Shalu Menon, an accused in the case, justice S S Satheeshchandran expressed dissatisfaction at the manner in which the police inquiry was progressing without co-ordination and said the court would not hesitate to have the presence in the court of ADGP A Hemachandran, who heads the SIT probing the case.

The court sought to know where the money collected by the accused in solar panel cheating case had gone and whether those who lost the money would get it back.

Saritha Nair, an accused in the case, had yesterday informed the Economic Offences Court that she wanted to give a written version of her statement to the magistrate.

The judge asked if the SIT was aware of this fact and what were the reasons for the non-disclosure of this to the Kothamangalam Magistrate Court.

Meanwhile, considering a plea by businessman M K Kuruvila seeking a crime branch investigation on his complaint in connection with the solar scam, another judge V K Mohan observed that whether an inquiry was not required to find out if the cheating had taken place with the knowledge of the Chief Minister.

Kuruvila, a Bangalore-based planter, had complained that two persons, one of them claiming to be a relative of Chandy as well as member of his personal staff, defrauded him of over Rs one crore by offering to install solar panel.

He submitted that he had made the complaint to the Chief Minister, who, in turn, forwarded it to the DGP. However, the matter was not being investigated effectively by the police.

Kurvila submitted that the duo, identified as Andrew and Renjith, were those who approached him and cheated him.

The bail application of Shalu Menon was adjourned to tomorrow.

PTI