In a jolt to Congress-led UDF government in Kerala, a court today ordered registration of an FIR against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Power Minister Arayadan Mohammed in the solar scam, sparking fresh demands by opposition CPI-M for their resignation.
Chandy, a senior Congress leader, on his part said he was prepared to face any probe.
"Both of us are ready to face any probe. Our strength is we have not done any wrong," Chandy, who is facing the heat in the solar scam following prime accused Saritha S Nair's deposition before the Commission probing the case, told reporters at Malappuram and Kozhikode.
Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance), Thrissur, who ordered the vigilance director to register an FIR against Chandy and Arayadan and six others in the case, observed that everyone was equal before law, "be it a village man or a chief minister."
Judge S S Vassan in the order stated that he was not making any comments on the merits of the case.
"I have to bear in mind Article 14 of the Constitution. Be it a village man or the chief minister, law is equal to all public servants. Therefore the complaint is forwarded to Director VACB (Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau) for investigation under sect 156(3) CrPC," the judge said.
A report has to be submitted by April 11, the next hearing of the case, the judge said.
Alleging that the charges against him were part of a 'political conspiracy' against him by a section of bar owners and CPI-M, Chandy said he was ready to face any probe.
"I have not done anything wrong. My conscience is clear on that.....," he said, adding, he would soon hold talks with coalition partners of the UDF.
Saritha had alleged yesterday that she had paid bribes to the tune of Rs 1.90 crore to a close aide of Chandy and Rs 40 lakh to the power minister. Chandy and Arayadan have denied the allegations.
Coming out in support of Chandy, AICC fully backed him saying there was no need at this stage for Chandy to resign.
AICC chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surejwala said in New Delhi that "Congress is of the opinion that there is no need for Oommen Chandy to resign at this stage."
"Chandy has said more than once that they are ready for any kind of enquiry....We will seek appropriate legal remedies," he told reporters at Delhi.
Slamming Chandy, CPI-M veteran V S Achuthanandan said Chandy had no moral right to continue while party state secretary, Kodieryi Balakrishnan, said the opposition will launch massive agitations to oust him.
