The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing into the solar panel scam would file chargesheets on four cases next week. “The four cases in which investigation has been completed do not include any of the controversial petitions,” the officials said.
The SIT is probing 31 cases registered in various parts of the state in connection with the scam. The swindled amount, as per the SIT estimates, is around Rs 7.5 crore. The investigation team had quizzed the main accused Biju Radhakrishnan and Saritha S Nair in the presence of another accused actor Shalu Menon the other day.
“The joint interrogation was intended to cross-check the independent statements of the accused,” the officials said.
They said several statements made by the accused earlier were proven false during the joint interrogation.
Actor Shalu Menon, who had earlier admitted to have gained a cash benefit of Rs 10 lakh, revealed that the actual amount was around Rs 40 lakh.
The actor said she cooperated with Biju Radhakrishnan as she had an intention to marry him. However, she refuted Biju’s claim that the marriage was almost finalised.
The officials said the accused kept the ‘chain’ active by inducting new investors and spent lakhs for promotional campaigns. The high-profile and costly campaign programmes of ‘Team Solar’ were attended by film and mini screen artistes which helped them in luring new investors.
“In 2011, they held an event in a luxury hotel in Ernakulam by spending Rs 40 lakh. They also roped in a mega star by paying a cash compensation of Rs 10 lakh,” a top official said.
The officials said chargesheets of other cases would be filed only after getting a fair idea on the money trail and after learning whether a portion of the swindled money had been stashed somewhere.