Solar scam: BJP fires fresh salvo

BJP's Kerala unit today alleged that the 21-page statement of prime accused in the solar scam Saritha S Nair had been sabotaged at the behest of a state minister and Congress MLA.
Speaking to reporters at Kozhikode, BJP State General Secretary K Surendran said, "Saritha had at first prepared the statement and handed it over to her lawyer Fenny Balakrishnan, which was later 'sabotaged' allegedly by Ports and Fisheries Minister K Babu and Congress MLA Benny Bennyhan."
The Pathanamthitta Jail Superintendent, in reply to an RTI query, had admitted Saritha had prepared the statement which was handed over to her advocate, Surendran said.

When Saritha was produced before the Additional CJM court at Kochi on July 20, she had stated that she wanted to say something in camera, the judge had asked her to give it in writing, which had snowballed into a major controversy with the Kerala High Court ordering a probe into the same.
Rumours had spread that the court had recorded her statements and she had revealed names of some cabinet ministers.
The court had asked her to prepare a written complaint 'uninfluenced' by anybody which should be handed over by July 31 to Attakulangara Superintendent of Jail for women, where Saritha was later lodged.

Surendran said that the fact the 21-page statement had been watered down to three and half pages, has now been corroborated officially by Pathnamthitta jail Superintendent.

"Where did the statement go? Why was it not produced in court?" he asked.
CPI-M Politburo member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that the judicial probe ordered by government into the scam should enquire into this charge too. Those responsible for the disappearance of the original 21 page statement should also come under its purview, he said.
Meanwhile, Information minister K C Joseph said this charge should also be probed. "Let the truth come out," he told reporters at Kottayam.

Saritha's lawyer said that she had given him a draft to be handed over to court. Since the court had later asked her to hand it over to Attakulangara jail Superintendent, he had destroyed it.
The scam pertains to cheating of many people by accused Biju Radhakrishnan and Saritha, both under arrest, by offering clients solar energy solutions.
It took a political turn after the arrest of a personal assistant of Chandy for his alleged links with the accused. A gunman of the Chief Minister was also suspended for his alleged association with the fraudsters.