In an attempt to recover a portion of the money allegedly taken by her fraudulently, the Kerala High Court on Friday told Saritha S Nair, main accused in the solar panel scam, to furnish Rs 5 lakh each while granting her bail in two cases registered in Ernakulam district.
Justice Thomas P Joseph issued the order while allowing her bail pleas in two cases registered on the basis of complaints by G Hrikrishnan and P K Subrahmanian before the Kochi police.
Hrikrishnan argued that Saritha cheated him of Rs 23.5 lakh offering installation of solar plants, while P K Subrahmanian said that she had cheated him of `17.5 lakh promising windmill machine. The court observed that whether the court should direct the accused to deposit a portion of the cheated amount should be considered.
“`5 lakh each in a nationalised bank, initially for a period of two years and renewable as per the order of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Court (Economic Offences). And provide the fixed deposit receipts in the magistrate court while executing the bail bonds. Petitioner shall not be released on bail without complying with the order,” the court said.
The court also held that if the cases are decided against the petitioner and the victims are awarded compensation, the compensation can be released from the amount deposited.