Solar scam case: Vigilance probe ordered against Kerala CM, power minister

THRISSUR: The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala which is embroiled in a series of controversies, plunged into a crisis on Thursday with the vigilance enquiry commissioner and special judge in Thrissur ordering a probe against chief minister Oommen Chandy and power minister Aryadan Muhammed in the solar scam case.
The judge SS Vasan in his order has directed the vigilance officials to register an FIR against Chandy and Muhammed and submit a report on April 11.
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The Judge has issued the order while considering a petition field by social activist PD Joseph. The complainant alleged that Saritha Nair, the key figure in the solar scam, had submitted before the commission probing the scam that she had paid Rs 1.9 crore to the chief minister and Rs 40 lakhs as bribe to push the solar power projects mooted by her company.
Even though the additional legal adviser (ALA) for the vigilance objected to the demand for the probe, the judge declined to accept the objections.
The judge said law cannot discriminate against anyone and all including the prime minister, chief minister or people doing menial jobs are equal before the law.
Quoting the legendary story of Birbal, the judge said "Extraordinary situations demand extraordinary orders."
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The ALA had pleaded for time to submit a quick verification report, but the judge turned down this plea also.
The excise minister K Babu had to submit his resignation when the judge had ordered a probe and FIR against him in the bar bribery scam. Revenue minister KM Mani also had to quit following adverse remarks from the high court in the bar bribery scam.
The opposition leaders have already demanded immediate resignation of chief minister and have threatened intense agitations if he failed to acceded to their demand.
The opposition LDF activists have already started launching blockades against the chief minister at different points in the state.