Solar scam: Chandy moves HC against order to file FIR

Amid violent protests demanding his resignation for his alleged involvement in the solar scam, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday moved the petition in High Court seeking to quash the FIR ordered against him by Thrissur court.

Meanwhile, The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) members held a massive protest which turned violent as the police resorted to using teargas to disperse the crowd.

Outside the Kerala Secretariat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) youth wing also agitated demanding Chandy's ouster.

Earlier, the Thrissur Court has directed that an FIR should be filed against Chandy in connection with this scam.

The Kerala Chief Minister on Monday appeared before the probe panel in connection with the 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 last year alleged that he paid Chandy a bribe of Rs. 5.5 crore, out of which Rs. 5.1 crore was collected personally by the Chief Minister while the rest was paid to his personal staff.

The Chief Minister has so far maintained 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.

The case 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 are also under the scanner in connection with the scam.

The BJP is adamant on Chandy's resignation and has demanded a response from the Congress High command on this matter.

The Congress however, has staunchly defended the Chief Minister saying that 'mischievous and malicious' allegations will continue to fly as it is election time in the state.