KOCHI: The Justice Sivarajan Commission probing the Solar scam case on Tuesday asked key accused Saritha S Nair to produce in sealed cover the evidence and statements pertaining to confidential matters which were not revealed at the sitting of the Commission, on Thursday.
When the Commission issued the directive during its sitting, Saritha’s counsel Adv C D Johny submitted that there would be two sealed covers - one containing her written statement on the incidents of sexual harassment she underwent, and another containing evidence related to it.
Meanwhile, the Commission dismissed Johny’s request for one week’s time for producing the documents.
Appearing for Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Adv John Ralph strongly objected to the procedure of collecting statement in sealed cover. According to him, if the statement and evidence are produced in sealed cover, the Commission should ensure that they are accessible to the witnesses who have been served notice under Section-8(b) of the Commission of Inquiry Act. John Ralph claimed that receiving statement in sealed cover would infringe on the right of the witnesses as they would be unaware of the allegations raised in the statement.
While considering the submission, the Commission stated that details of the statement would be disclosed to the affected parties, and that they would be given a chance of cross examine Saritha, separately.
Saritha, meanwhile, submitted that she had handed over Rs 5 lakh to Benny Behnan MLA in November 2011 as contribution to the party fund.
Saritha also claimed that P C Vishnunath MLA had received Rs 2 lakh - Rs 1 lakh at Ottappalam and Rs 1 lakh in Ernakulam - during his Kerala Yathra in October 2012, for which receipts were not issued. She further stated that many other leaders of the ruling Front were paid money, but their names could not be revealed due to lack of evidence. Echoing the statement of Biju Radhakrishnan, the first accused in the case, Saritha said that behind the growth and collapse of Team Solar, the company run by them, was the Chief Minister. She said Chandy had advised her to take up mega solar projects in the State, for which the government would extend every possible support. According to Saritha, Oommen Chandy had promised Team Solar 113 acre of land at the Kinfra Park in Palakkad for establishing solar panels.
Chandy also offered help for the ‘Wing Energy’ project at Kailasapara in Idukki. While Saritha was not aware of any profit-sharing deal with Oommen Chandy, she learnt from her staff that Biju had agreed for a 60:40 deal with the CM.
Revelations
■ Saritha said she met Minister Aryadan Mohammed several times, and talked to him over the phone on several occasions for various needs of the company and solar business
■ Saritha said she knew ANERT technical director Sugadhakumar, senior official Suresh Babu and scientists Madhu and Rajeesh, who had deposed before the Solar Commission that they never met Saritha earlier
■ While the Commission on Tuesday considered the petition filed by Biju Radhakrishnan seeking permission to cross-examine Saritha, the order on it will be issued only later
■ On Thursday, the Commission will hear from Saritha again, who has sought permission to appear before a Judicial First Class Magistrate in Coimbatore for a case pending there
■ Saritha claimed she frequently visited the office of Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) at least seven times every month in the 2011-2013 period
P C Vishnunadh Denies Saritha Charges
T’Puram: P C Vishnunadh MLA on Tuesday stoutly denied all the allegations levelled by Saritha Nair. He said that the truth would prevail and a probe was necessary towards that end. He also said that the epicentre of the conspiracy, which was clearly behind all the allegations, would come to the fore very soon. The MLA promised that he would cooperate with any investigation.
Kochi: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday held discussions with Advocate General K P Dandapani and Director General of Prosecution T Asaf Ali at Cochin International Airport, Nedumbaserry, in the wake of allegations against him and his associates in the party and cabinet by the Solar scam accused Saritha S Nair. In the one-and-a-half-hour long meeting held at the VIP cabin of the airport, they reportedly discussed the legal side of the case and the measures to be taken in the wake of the fresh allegations against the government and ministers. The Chief Minister had cancelled his official functions he had committed in Kochi in the morning and left for Kozhikode to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the meeting.
finally, Chandy oommen Breaks Silence
T’Puram: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s son finally broke his silence on Tuesday on the Solar issue saying that he never had any interest ‘’in Solar or any other business concern.’’ In a Facebook post, Chandy Oommen said that he had chosen to remain silent so far ‘’despite deep provocation and many calls of deep concern from friends, associates and well wishers.’’ Chandy Oommen’s reaction has come in the wake of Solar scam accused Saritha Nair’s statement before the Solar Commission.