THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government order(GO) for the investigation against UDF leaders based on the findings in Solar Commission report is likely to be delayed as the government is yet to receive legal advice. Earlier, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had sought a legal opinion from the Advocate General on finalising the members of the investigation team. Sources said the uncertainty on selecting the officers to be included in the team is holding up the proceedings. DGP ( North Zone ) Rajesh Diwan has already been entrusted with the charge of heading the probe. The probe will begin officially after receiving the government’s order. Diwan will also record the statements of complainant Saritha S Nair before registering an FIR against the leaders.
ADGP K Padmakumar will also face a probe as he has been included in the list of suspects. Along with the police investigation, the Vigilance will conduct a probe into the alleged financial irregularities.
The Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, have been accused of extending favours to Team Solar and Saritha to dupe customers. The then Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan allegedly prevailed upon police officers to bail out Chandy. As per the report, Chandy, directly and through others, had received bribe and based on this a Vigilance case can be registered under Sections 7, 8, 9 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption(PC) Act.
A criminal case can be registered against Thiruvanchoor. Regarding the cases at Perumbavoor and Konni police stations, further probe can be carried out. The report also said the then special investigation team which probed the solar case failed to verify the call data records(CDR) and other documents pertaining to the criminal involvement of state ministers, government officers, the then Union Ministers, MLAs and police officers who probed the case. Later, the government received legal counsel which said criminal charges, including rape, could be registered against the leaders.