india

Updated: Oct 11, 2017 14:34 IST

The CPI(M)-led Left Front government in Kerala on Wednesday ordered a criminal and vigilance probe against former chief minister Oommen Chandy, three of his ministers, and many other Congress leaders in connection with the multi-crore solar scam case.

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the action was based on the report submitted by the Justice Shivarajan commission that probed the scam. The commission submitted its report to the chief minister last month indicting many.

Besides Chandy, Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan, Anil Kumar, and Aryadan Mohamed will also face the probe.

The solar scam was related a fictitious firm floated by a Saritha Nair, a controversial woman who allegedly cheated many gullible investors with the help of people in the higher-ups. Nair and Biju Radhakrishnan, the prime accused in the scam, were sentenced to three years in jail and slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 each in December last year.

Nair is out on bail and Radhakrishnan is in jail on charges of murdering his first wife, Reshmi.

A special investigation team was also constituted under director general of police Rajesh Diwan to probe charges against leaders whose names figured in the report.

The solar scam surfaced in 2013 and it was one of the main reasons for the exit of the Congress regime in the state. Nair floated a fictitious company promising imported solar panels and stakes in the company and cheated many. She also used her nexus with the political leaders to widen her base.

During an investigation, Nair, who is facing many cheating cases, claimed she was sexually exploited by many leaders.

“Those who committed fraud will have to face the music,” said CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan while welcoming the probe.

Nair also hailed the decision.

However, Chandy said the case was politically motivated. “I don’t fear the case. I haven’t done anything wrong. Let the law takes its own course,” he said.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala also criticised the move, saying it was done deliberately to influence the by-poll in Vengara in Malappuram.

The by-poll was necessitated after Muslim League leader PK Kunhalikutty was elected to the Lok Sabha.