Government to seek legal advice on solar scam report

The Kerala government on Wednesday decided to seek the legal opinion on a report filed by the judicial commission that probed the infamous multi-crore solar scam. 

The cabinet resolved to elicit the opinion of the State Advocate General and Prosecution Director General on the report submitted by a commission headed by Justice G Sivarajan on September 26, an official release said. 

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has informed the cabinet about the receipt of the commission report of 1073 pages. The next step on the report would be taken only after getting the legal opinion and the same would also be placed in the cabinet, the release added. 

Also read: Solar Commission submits report, finds lapses with former CM Oommen Chandy's office

The commission was appointed by the previous Oommen Chandy-led UDF government after allegations of fraud worth crores of rupees were made against prime accused Saritha Nair and her accomplice Biju Radhakrishnan. 

The duo allegedly duped people by offering solar panel solutions through advanced payments and used the names of political higher-ups, including that of former CM Chandy, to canvas business. The CPM-led LDF, then in opposition, had launched an agitation following reports of Saritha's links with the office of the Chief Minister. 

Several politicians, including Chandy, were among those examined by the commission. The scam turned political after two employees in Chandy's office were removed for their alleged links with the prime accused in the case. 

Chandy had maintained that the charges against him and his office were "politically motivated" and had denied any wrongdoing. Set up in October 2013, the commission had held 353 sittings, examined 214 witnesses and 972 documents.

(With PTI inputs)