Solar Scam: Complaint Manipulated

CPI(M) Kerala State Committee Secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that the  written complaint by an accused in the Solar Panel Scam, which was today handed over to Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakulam by the Superintendent of the Women's Jail has been manipulated. Addressing the media at Thiruvananthapuram today, Pinarayi alleged that this was done with the knowledge of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. This has underscored the necessity for a judicial enquiry, he added.

The Magistrate before whom Saritha Nair was produced earlier on July 20 was unwilling to record her statement. Vijayan urged higher judicial bodies to take cognizance of this matter. Only a day earlier, the Chief Minister had predicted that good news would come. This was a clear hint that the statement is being manipulated. Saritha had sought an opportunity to record her secret confession before the magistrate under the section of 164 CrPC. However, when she appeared before the magistrate he did not record her confession. The court later asked her to give a written complaint. After this, the police took Saritha from the prison at Pathanamthitta where she was lodged, to Thiruvananthapuram. During transit the police had managed to influence her. Both appeasement and threats were used. Saritha’s mother had also visited her in jail.

Saritha’s counsel’s statement on the names contained in her statement becomes more significant in this context. Her counsel, Feni Balakrishnan, also warned that it would be a big shock if the names are made public. No Congress leader has come forward opposing this statement.

Some leaders including central ministers have come out from hiding, which confirms that a manipulation has taken place, which reduced the pages of original complaint from 22 to 4, Pinarayi said.

July 29, 2013