Solar scam: Saritha Nair alleges that DMK leader Palanimanickam involved

Saritha Nair, prime accused in the solar panel scam in Kerala on Tuesday alleged that a former Union Minister and DMK leader from the state had a role in it.

Speaking to reporters after emerging from a court in Coimbatore, where she appeared in connection with a cheating case, she alleged that former Union Minister Palanimanickam of DMK was involved in the solar related cases. Calls and text messages to the former minister, seeking his reaction to the charge went unanswered.

Saritha was replying to a question on whether any politician from Tamil Nadu was involved in the scam. Saritha claimed she had submitted related evidence of the "involvement" of all politicians to the one man judicial commission probing the scam. She also alleged that former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had a major role in the scam.

The scam pertains to alleged duping of several persons to the tune of crores of rupees by Saritha and her accomplice Biju Radhakrishnan by offering solar panel solutions.

In January, while deposing before the Justice Sivarajan Commission probing the alleged scam in Kochi, Saritha had alleged that a huge bribe had been given to Chandy's key aide for setting up mega solar projects in the state and also to the PA of former Power Minister Aryadan Muhammed, a charge denied by both of them.

After Saritha had deposed before the Commission on the alleged payments, a Vigilance court had directed filing of FIR against them. But subsequently, the decision was stayed by Kerala High Court.