Solar Scam: Main accused Saritha alleges sexual abuse during probe, to reveal names

KOCHI: Solar scam accused Saritha S Nair on Tuesday told a judicial inquiry commission that she is willing to disclose about the sexual abuses she faced and other discreet matters in a sealed cover. The inquiry commission has asked her to produce the matter in sealed cover on Thursday morning.
Saritha, who is an accused along with Biju Radhakrishnan in around 40 cases of cheating investors, had complained of sexual abuse when she was presented before an economic offences court two and a half years ago but the magistrate had asked her to give in writing.She had recently revealed that a 30-page letter in which names of the VIPs who abused her were mentioned was shortened to four pages after an offer was received from the CM while she was in jail to settle all the cases against her. Former jail DGP had recently told the Commission that the letter contains names of 13 VIPs and a police officer and Saritha had confirmed that it may be true.
During the deposition on Tuesday, Saritha told the justice G Sivarajan Commission that she is not willing to disclose sexual matters before the Commission. Following this, the Commission put forward the options of either writing down the information and handing it over in a sealed cover or conducting an in-camera proceeding.
The Commission said only himself, his private secretary, and a woman staff would be allowed to be present in the room if an in-camera proceeding is conducted. Such a method is preferable as there would be three persons who know about the proceedings that took place, the Commission said.
However, the counsel representing the chief minister pointed out that even if the Saritha’s deposition is recorded in-camera, the lawyers representing the affected parties would have to be allowed to cross-examine her. The Commission said if such a situation arises, only one counsel at a time would be allowed and the affected party would only be told about the portion that would affect him.
At this stage of the discussion during the hearing, Saritha said she has decided to go for the sealed-cover method. Her counsel CD Johnny told the Commission that two sealed covers would be handed over to the Commission, with one containing details about the sexual matters and another containing documents. The Commission has asked Saritha to produce the sealed covers on Thursday morning.