The special investigation team (SIT) of the Kerala Police probing the infamous solar scam in which Congress Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is allegedly involved is said to be under pressure from the State Government not to slap serious charges on the accused so that a situation of embarrassment to Chandy could be avoided.
The SIT headed by ADGP A Hemachandran has so far slapped only the charge of cheating under Section 420 in the cases related to the scam, which was perpetrated allegedly with the knowledge of Chandy. However, it has now become almost impossible for the team to avoid charging the accused with criminal conspiracy and impersonation as the probe is reaching its conclusion.
The police now say that they cannot complete the probe without bringing the Chief Minister and his office into its purview at least in some of the crucial cases. The team is investigating 33 cases related to the scam and charge sheets have already been submitted in eight of the cases. The police's effort is to conclude the investigations as early as possible, according to sources.
The scam pertains to the duping of several people of crores of rupees, mainly by con woman Saritha S Nair and her former husband Biju Radhakrishnan, with the assistance of top politicians by promising to install solar power plants and windmills with all the concessions announced by the State and Central Governments.
The SIT has decided to slap the charge of criminal conspiracy on Biju and Saritha -- first and second accused respectively -- in the case relating to the cheating of one Sajad of Perumbavoor near Kochi by taking from him over Rs 40 lakh for installing a solar plant. This was the first of the 33 cases registered in the State in relation with the solar scam.
Sajad said the duo had cheated him by convincing him of their credibility showing letters bearing the CM’s signature. The SIT has so far claimed that the letters had been forged by the duo but legal experts say that the CM and his office will eventually have to come under the probe in this case and that is what is worrying the officials now.