KOCHI: During the cross-examination before the commission probing the solar scam on Wednesday, former chief minister Oommen Chandy claimed that it was his initiative that had led to the exposure of the scam and of the subsequent arrests involved in it.
Responding to a question raised by the government pleader whether he is the godfather of the Team Solar company which was behind the solar scam, Chandy said, “In fact, it was due to my initiative that the scam was exposed, the accused were arrested, the cases against them properly probed and the charge sheets filed."
“Only a minor offence was charged against prime accused Biju Radhakrishnan in the case pertaining to his wife's murder. However, it was the UDF government that directed a probe and later, he was found guilty for murdering his wife, " Chandy said.
“Thirty-four cases were registered against Saritha S Nair during the regime of the UDF government. If there were any truth in their claims about having connections in my office, why did they have to forge my letterpad?" the former CM asked.
When questioned about seeing Saritha speaking to him during a public function, Chandy said that he always used minimum security as escort. "I never object anyone from coming near me,” he said.
Chandy said that the UDF government under his helm never appointed middlemen to implement any project. Similarly, no policies were drafted for their benefit, he said.
While Chandy frequently deposed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the Solar scam was given full freedom, the commission reminded him that the police have all the freedom to probe any case however they wanted to.