Solar Scam Accused Saritha Nair's Demand For CBI Probe Turned Down

In a major relief for the UDF government, the Kerala High Court has dismissed solar scam accused Saritha Nair's petition seeking a CBI investigation into the allegations she has made.

But Justice Kamal Pasha, while dismissing the petition, observed, "This seems to be politically motivated and the petitioner cannot make the court a ground for political gimmick."

Saritha Nair, who has been deposing before a commission headed by a retired judge, had petitioned the High Court for an independent investigating agency like the CBI, saying "she does not trust the existing system for justice".

But the court observed that a petitioner who is a prime accused "has no authority to seek an independent investigation".

"Can a person, accused in 33 criminal cases, claim for such a privilege from the court?" the judge asked.

This comes a day after a letter written by Saritha Nair was shown by a regional news channel, in which she has levelled allegations of sexual abuse against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

While speaking to reporters today, Mr Chandy had said, Saritha Nair had said he was "like a father" to her.

"She never made these allegations against me while deposing before the judicial commission," he said. "I see a big political ploy to topple the UDF government led by me. But none of this will work in the Assembly elections".

Saritha Nair and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan have allegedly duped several businessmen by posing as close associates of Mr Chandy.

The two promised them solar panels which were never delivered. More than 30 cases of cheating are registered against Ms Nair and Mr Radhakrishnan in various courts. Police estimate they have cheated investors to the tune of over Rs 6 crore.