KOCHI: Biju Radhakrishnan, key accused in the Solar scam case, revealed the names of more politicians who allegedly extended favours to Team Solar, the company promoted by him.
Deposing before the Justice G Sivarajan Commission here on Tuesday, which is probing the case, Biju stated that Hibi Eden MLA, Mons Joseph MLA and P C Vishnunath MLA received a share of the profit from projects undertaken by Team Solar.
According to Biju, Hibi Eden MLA and former Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany were invited to the annual day of the company, which was celebrated at a luxury hotel in Kochi.
At the function, Hibi Eden and Tony Chammany informed Biju about an exhibition of the District Congress Committee (DCC - Ernakulam) held at Jawaharalal Nehru International Stadium. Later, DCC member Premachandran visited the office of Team Solar and promised to arrange a stall for the company at the expo. However, he set the condition that 20 per cent of the sale profit should be handed over to him.
When Biju spoke to Hibi Eden about the matter, the MLA allegedly told him that if the former was willing to share the profit, he would arrange new projects for the company in future.
Based on the assurance given by Hibi Eden, Biju took a stall on rent at the expo. Later, Hibi Eden arranged 12 projects for Biju, including installation of solar panels at CMS college, Kottayam, and at the camp office of the Kochi City Police Commissioner. For each project, 20 per cent of the profit was delivered at Hibi’s residence in Kochi. Biju also submitted that while Hibi Eden helped him get new business, the MLA also created troubles in his family life.
Biju, meanwhile, admitted that he maintained good friendship with Mons Joseph MLA. After Biju and Saritha, another accused in the case, were separated, Mons Joseph’s wife contacted Biju to know about the relation between Mons and Saritha. Later, when Biju discussed the matter with Mons, it ended up in a verbal brawl. Mons also had extended financial assistance to Team Solar.
P C Vishnunath is the other politician who allegedly received a share of the profit from various projects undertaken by Team Solar, which got six projects with the help of Vishnunath. According to Biju, he visited the residence of Vishnunath and handed over `5 lakh to his private secretary as commission.
Biju alleged that there was a conspiracy behind sentencing him for life imprisonment in the Reshmi murder case. The conspiracy was hatched at a meeting held at Yatri Nivas, Kollam, before he was convicted, in which Reshmi’s father, several politicians, advocates and police officials participated. Biju further stated that at the meeting, `25 lakh was handed over to advocate Fenny Balakrishnan allegedly for bribing a judge. However, he does not know whether the judge accepted the money, or not.
When one of the counsel pointed out that raising allegations against the judiciary would effect the appeal filed by Biju in the Reshmi murder case, Biju sought additional time to seek legal opinion from his lawyer. As per the request, the court granted him time during lunch break.
Then, Biju’s counsel met Justice G Sivarajan in his chamber and requested to postpone the hearing to another date, citing that Biju’s latest revelations were likely to create legal complications. However, the Commission refused to postpone the hearing.
When the Commission resumed the sitting after lunch break, Biju submitted a petition seeking to postpone the hearing to next Monday, which the Commission declined initially. However, when Biju said he was mentally not prepared to continue with the hearing, the Commission decided to hear him on Wednesday.
‘Scam Closely Linked to CM’
Kochi: Solar scam accused Biju Radhakrishnan on Tuesday deposed before the commission probing the case that the entire scam was closely connected with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Biju said the Chief Minister and his office were involved in the scam, and that Oommen Chandy was one of the reasons behind his downfall. However, the Commission did not record that statement, and decided to hear Biju later.
