Kerala CM Oommen Chandy (File Photo)
Truth has prevailed,” said a relieved Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on hearing
the High Court’s decision to stay vigilance court proceedings against him and Power Minister Arayadan Mohammed.
“Truth has prevailed. Congress and UDF is one and united,” Chandy told reporters here on hearing about the interim order.
Earlier amid heavy protests and stone pelting, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Power Minister Aryadan Muhammed on Friday moved appeals in the High Court seeking quashing of the vigilance court directive to register case against them based on the revelations of solar scam accused Saritha S Nair.
Nair had alleged Chandy was paid Rs 1.90 crore and Muhammed Rs 40 lakh as bribe in exchange for government favours.
A Vigilance court on Thursday ordered registration of an FIR against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Power Minister Arayadan Mohammed in connection with the solar scam.
Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Thrissur, S S Vassan, on a private complaint by one P D Joseph, issued the direction in this regard.
The vigilance director has been asked to file the FIR and complete the probe as early as possible.
Joseph said he had based his complaint on the statements made by Saritha S Nair, prime accused in the solar scam, yesterday before the Justice Sivarajan commission probing the scam.
He also said he had produced a CD and newspaper clippings on Saritha’s deposition before the commission as part of evidence.
Targeting Chandy and Mohammed, Saritha had alleged that she had paid bribes totalling Rs 1.90 crore to a close aide of the chief minister while Rs 40 lakh had been given to the power minister. Both had denied the allegations.
Meanwhile, the chief minister told reporters at Kozhikode this morning that allegations against him were part of a political conspiracy by a section of bar owners and CPI-M.
He said he cannot be defeated by levelling allegations.
Saritha said she will handover the evidence with her to the vigilance court if directed by the court.
“I will not run away from the law,” she told reporters at Kochi.
(With PTI inputs)