LDF Suggestions for Judicial Probe in Kerala Solar Scam

Left Democratic Front has given its  suggestions regarding the proposed judicial investigation into the solar scam to the Kerala government on August 23, 2013. In the absence of Home minister, T. Radhakrishnan, his secretary received the memo containing 32 suggestions.

LDF convener Vaikom Vishwan said that the first suggestion is to include Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the ambit of investigation as this demand is based on sufficient circumstantial evidence. He said the statements of Sridharan Nair, T. C. Mathew and M. K. Kuruvilla who were cheated by Team Solar company have also been cited. Some questions have also been raised e.g. whether any of the central ministers have been involved in the "Team Solar" company's deals, how the kickbacks were used and whether the money reached the higher spheres of government. If the Chief Minister rejects the demand for including his office in the domain of inquiry, the ongoing protest will be intensified, Vaikom Vishwan said.

In the meantime, High Court of Kerala granted bail to two accused persons, Chief Minister's close aide Tenny Joppen and T.V.actor Shalu Menon. The government has been keen to save Tenny Joppen, therefore the police never sought his custody for further interrogation and the Special Investigation Team never took him to the Chief Minister's office which was the epicentre of the solar scam.

On August 22, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy faced a huge protest in Tanur, district Malappuram. Hundreds of LDF workers showed black flags and raised slogans. The police brutally charged the workers many of whom were admitted to hospitals.