Leader of the Opposition (Com). V. S. Achuthanandan apperaed before Judicial commission on Solar Scam.

Courtesy- The Hindu Daily

‘It originated in CMO; probe aimed at saving suspects’

For over two hours on Friday, Leader of the Opposition V. S. Achuthanandan told a judicial commission why he thought the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) was “inextricably involved” in the solar and wind energy investment fraud scam.

Fielding questions for over two hours, the 91-year-old Communist veteran told the G. Sivarajan Commission in measured tones that the CMO had ignored several warnings about the adverse police record of the prime suspect, Sarita. S. Nair, who was a frequent visitor there.

Six other “parties”, including anti-corruption groups and also the Kerala government, had “impleaded” in the case.

Unusual access to CMO

Mr. Achuthanandan said the suspect had used her “unusual access” to the CMO to convince unsuspecting citizens to part with their savings by promising them high returns on domestic and industrial scale renewable energy projects, which existed only on paper.

He said the scam had cost the public exchequer Rs.10,000 crore.

He said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s son, Chandy Oommen, and his “New Delhi aide”, one Kuruvilla, should be investigated in connection with the fraud.

The fraud originated in the CMO and Mr. Chandy’s top aides, including Jopan, were involved.

The police investigation into the fraud was aimed at saving the suspects. The security camera recordings of the CMO were not considered as evidence.

The police did not invoke the Prevention of Corruption Act or the Money Launderer’s Act.

The role of other suspects, including senior government functionaries was not enquired into.

The police had failed to attach the properties or bank accounts of the public. No effort had been made to find out where all the money ripped off from the public had gone.

Charges diluted

Mr. Achuthanandan accused the police of diluting the charges against the suspects to pave way for out-of-court settlements that would see them walk free in the future. The Opposition leader did not respond to queries from journalists who had thronged the venue.