Solar scam: Chandy appears before probe panel

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Monday appeared before a probe panel in connection with the solar scam.

The scam, which is being probed by a commission headed by Justice G Sivaraman, was constituted by the Chief Minister in 2013 following massive protests by the Left-led opposition.

Biju Radhakrishnan, the prime accused in the solar scam case, had in December alleged that he had paid Chandy a bribe of Rs 5.5 crores, out of which Rs 5.1 crore was collected personally by the chief minister while the rest was paid to the Chief Minister's personal staff.

The Chief Minister has maintained all along that he has done no wrong and is prepared to face any probe.

The solar scam pertains to cheating several persons amounting to crores of rupees by Saritha Nair and her accomplice Biju Radhakrishnan by offering solar panel solutions.

It took a political turn with the arrest of one of Chandy's close personal aides, who has alleged links with the accused. Two other employees in his personal staff have also been removed in connection with the scam.