Solar Scam: Saritha produces CDs as evidence before Inquiry Commission

Thiruvananthapuram: Saritha Nair, accused in the solar scam, produced four CDs before the Solar Scam Inquiry Commission purported to be phone conversations between her and Benny Behnan, MLA and  Thampanoor Ravi, who are close to the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, and Salim Raj, the suspended gun man of Mr. Chandy .

The Commission has accepted them as evidence. Government side has questioned the authenticity of the recordings. The CDs are supposed to prove her connections with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Ms. Nair told the Commission that CDs also contained recording of a meeting of one of her aides with industrialist who demanded that evidence against Chief Minister should be destroyed.

The other evidence produced by her during the day included documents regarding her company and memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister and pages of her diary.

Contents of the CDs telecast by the television channels gave the impression that Saritha Nair was in constant touch with Benny Behnan and Thampanoor Ravi who wanted her to be helpful while giving evidence and promised to help her with cases against her. Salim Raj is heard tutoring her on how to give testimony in the departmental enquiry against him.

Bar bribes:
Meanwhile, Mr. Sivakumar refuted the allegations by Bar Hotel Owners Association leader Biju Ramesh that he had paid Rs. 25 lakhs to Minister V. S. Sivakumar, as wanted by K. Babu.. The Health Department had nothing to do with abkari policy.

Referring to Mr. Ramesh’s allegation that the KPCC too was paid Rs. 2 crore, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala reacted that the KPCC never accepted money without issuing receipts.