2013 Kerala solar panel scam

Political scandal in Kerala January 2014 September 2020 The 2013 Kerala solar panel scam occurred in 2013, when a solar energy company, Team Solar, in Kerala, India, used two women to create political contacts with links including to the Chief Minister's office. The company duped several influential people to the tune of 70 lakhs, by offering to make them business partners, or by offering to install solar power units for them, and receiving advance payments for the same. Team Solar was unsuccessful in lobbying Kerala Govt to get their firm included in ANERT programmes. Incident The Team Solar Energy Company (Team Solar),https://www.outlookindia.com/national/one-woman-many-powerful-men-news-296798 One Woman & Many Powerful Men Outlook Magazine 2016-08-31 6 April 2016 floated by the main accused Biju Radhakrishnan and Saritha. S. Nair,Saritha Nair's 10 tips to people who are in love http://www.cochintalkies.com/celebrity/saritha-s-nair.html 19 June 2015 Cochin Talkies 19 June 2015 directors of the company, allegedly collected advance amounts from large number of people and investors by offering to make them business partners, or in the guise of installing alternate sources of energy and failed to deliver the goods. The company awarded a "Virgin Earth Golden Feather Environment Award" to several prominent people of Kerala to gain media coverage and credibility.Solar panel scam: Saritha makes statement in court https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/solar-panel-scam-saritha-makes-statement-in-court/article4935243.ece 25 July 2013 The Hindu 20 July 2013 The scam came to light when one of the customers who had paid for the installation filed a case against the company. The arrangement has defrauded several agencies and people to the tune of crores of rupees and at least one lady actor was used as "brand ambassador" to lure gullible people.PTI Name of another starlet crops up in solar panel scam https://www.indiatoday.in/india/south/story/name-of-another-starlet-crops-up-in-solar-panel-scam-170052-2013-07-11 25 July 2013 India Today 12 July 2013 There were widespread protests across the state, mainly by Leftist youth groups, after an interview with an industrialist was aired on television, which alleged fraud by the company.Kerala boils over solar panel scam http://www.deccanherald.com/content/343860/kerala-boils-over-solar-panel.html 25 July 2013 Deccan Herald 9 July 2013 The incident drew much attention because most of those who lost big money were all influential people, the women allegedly involved fueled the imagination/ jealousy of the depraved Malayalam Media Insulting towards M→→←→alayali media, without reason December 2015 and the alleged involvement of three officials from the office of the Chief Minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy, who made several phone calls to Saritha. It caused great embarrassment to Chandy, who faced demands for his resignation; two of the officials involved in phone conversation, lost their positions.Solar panel scam: Demand for Kerala CM's resignation gathers momentum http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/solar-panel-scam-demand-for-kerala-cm-s-resignation-gathers-momentum-113071300109_1.html 25 July 2013 Business Standard 13 July 2013 The total amount involved in the scam, calculated on the basis of complaints, is less than 100 m but the aggressive protests by Leftist political parties and the modus operandi used by the company has made the scam notorious.Solar scam eclipses a sunshine industry http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/solar-scam-eclipses-a-sunshine-industry/article4898713.ece 25 July 2013 Business Line 10 July 2013 Arrests Five persons have been arrested in connection with this scam. The chief accused, Saritha NairSolar panel cheating: Sarita S Nair under judicial custody http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=136988 Mathrubhumi 15 July 2013 19 June 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130619022254/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=136988 dead and one of the Chief Minister's personal aides Tenny JoppanSolar panel scam: Tenny Joppen remanded to judicial custody https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/solar-panel-scam-tenny-joppan-remanded-to-judicial-custody/article4863120.ece The Hindu 29 June 2013 15 July 2013 has been fired and arrested. The director of the Public Relations Department, who allegedly received Rs 500,000 from the Team Solar man, has been suspended and has gone underground fearing arrest. Other people accused in the case, who have been arrested include Biju Radhakrishnan,Solar scandal: Biju Radhakrishnan arrested http://www.madhyamam.com/en/node/13140 Madhyamam 15 July 2013 and Malayalam movie/TV actress and dancer, Shalu Menon.Actress Shalu Menon arrested https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2013/shalu-menon-is-arrested-113711.html Oneindia 15 July 2013 Biju Radhakrishnan Biju Radhakrishnan was already caught in a case pertaining to the murder of his wife Rashmi. However, despite having evidence of his involvement in the murder, he was not arrestedBiju Radhakrishnan walked free despite evidence http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-22/thiruvananthapuram/40133428_1_reshmi-crime-branch-forensic-report https://web.archive.org/web/20130729140718/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-22/thiruvananthapuram/40133428_1_reshmi-crime-branch-forensic-report dead 29 July 2013 The Times of India 15 July 2013 After his arrest, at Coimbatore, by the Kollam Crime Branch CID, he admitted to Rashmi's murder by giving her poisoned liquor.Biju admits to killing his wife Reshmi http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=137137 15 July 2013 Mathrubhumi 19 June 2013 21 June 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130621094526/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=137137 dead Saritha S Nair Saritha Nair was a director of the Team Solar Renewable Energy Co. and an accomplice of the Biju Radhakrishnan in the Solar Scam.Saritha Nair Letter She was arrested on the complaint of one of the persons who she had defrauded, in AmbalapuzhaSaritha Nair in police custody https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/saritha-nair-in-police-custody/article4826121.ece 15 July 2013 The Hindu 18 June 2013 She later requested the Economic Offences court where her case is being heard, that she wanted to give a secret statement,Saritha makes secret statement http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130721/news-current-affairs/article/saritha-makes-secret-statement https://web.archive.org/web/20130726003012/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130721/news-current-affairs/article/saritha-makes-secret-statement dead 26 July 2013 Deccan Chronicle 21 July 2013 21 July 2013 which would help to broaden the scope of the investigation. Her attorney, Fenny Balakrishnan termed the revelations as very crucial and capable of changing the direction of the investigation. She was released on bail in February 2014.Kerala: Solar panel scam accused Saritha Nair released on jail http://indianexpress.com/article/india/crime/kerala-solar-panel-scam-accused-saritha-nair-released-on-bail/ 24 February 2014 The Indian Express 21 February 2014 Her name reappeared in the news after her scandal video was released and went viral on social media including WhatsApp on 12 October 2014. On 2 June 2015 her short film Anthyakoodasha was released on YouTube, which has crossed 500k views as on 18 May 2016. Shalu Menon Television and film actress Shalu Menon, a close associate of Biju Radhakrishnan, initially denied any knowledge or relationship with Biju Radhakrishnan. Photographs showing the two of them posing together or Biju handing over keys to a new vehicle she had purchased recently were explained away, on TV, as pictures taken at his request.Shalu Menon denies involvement in solar scam https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/shalu-menon-denies-involvement-in-solar-scam/article4823751.ece The Hindu 18 June 2013 15 July 2013 Later, she came under the scanner of the Police and was arrested upon concluding that she was also an accomplice to the scam and had used her popularity to entice customers into parting with their money. She was released on bail in August 2013.Solar scam case: Joppan, Shalu walk out of jail https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/solar-scam-case-joppan-shalu-walk-out-of-jail/article5056778.ece 24 February 2014 The Hindu 25 August 2013 Tenny Joppan Tenny, an aide and personal staff member of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was arrested on charges of cheating, for aiding Biju Radhakrishnan and Saritha for defrauding a businessman, Sreedharan Nair, to the tune of 40 Lakh Indian Rupees. He was released on bail in August 2013. A. Firoze A. Firoz, a government servant, surrendered himself on 18 July, after the court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail. He was accused of helping to dupe a builder of 4 million Rupees along with Biju and Saritha, by claiming one of them was an ADB official and they could arrange a contract with the ADB. He was suspended from service after his name surfaced as one of the accomplices of Biju.Former PRD director Firoz surrenders after HC rejects his plea http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=14562475&tabId=1&programId=11565535 Manorama Online 8 August 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131101114556/http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=14562475&tabId=1&programId=11565535 1 November 2013 dead Phone call controversy At least four Kerala Cabinet ministers, three MLAs and hordes of government officials besides a junior Central Minister had been roped in by the women and their phone calls.Solar Scam: ADGP seeks explanation on leakage of phone calls details http://www.keralanext.com/news/2013/07/06/article130.asp Kerala Next 15 July 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131102010418/http://www.keralanext.com/news/2013/07/06/article130.asp 2 November 2013 usurpedAction against IG T J Jose for leaking phone details http://kaumudiglobal.com/innerpage1.php?newsid=38465 Kerala Kaumudi 15 July 2013 2 November 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131102071346/http://kaumudiglobal.com/innerpage1.php?newsid=38465 dead Allegations against the Chief Minister Allegations against the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy have been raised, due to phone calls made by his personal staff and forged lettersScam-accused had forged Kerala CM's letterhead: Aide http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Scam-accused-had-forged-Kerala-CMs-letterhead-Aide/2013/06/27/article1654794.ece https://web.archive.org/web/20130628235256/http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Scam-accused-had-forged-Kerala-CMs-letterhead-Aide/2013/06/27/article1654794.ece dead 28 June 2013 The New Indian Express 15 July 2013 which were used by the fraudsters to defraud customers. The issue snowballed when Sridharan Nair, a quarry owner, claimed that he had met the Chief Minister, at his office, along with Saritha, during which the Chief Minister encouraged investments in renewable energy.Solar scam: Sreedharan Nair reveals he and Saritha met CM http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/theWeekContent.do?contentId=14481195&programId=1073754912&tabId=13 The Week 15 July 2013 The Chief Minister refuted these claims on the floor of the Assembly, stating that the only time he met Sridharan Nair was as a representative of Quarry owners.Later on all allegations against the chief minister was proved false and was dismissed.Solar eclipse threat to CM - Kerala crisis deepens http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130709/jsp/nation/story_17096549.jsp https://web.archive.org/web/20130715092222/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130709/jsp/nation/story_17096549.jsp dead 15 July 2013 The Telegraph 15 July 2013 The allegations are being used by the opposition LDF as a reason to stall the proceedings of the Kerala Legislative AssemblyKerala assembly stalled again over Solar case http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=news&id=146611&heading=India Oman Tribune 15 July 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131101140515/http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=news&id=146611&heading=India 1 November 2013 dead and demand the resignation of the Kerala Chief Minister.http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/11/08/solar-commission-report-public-pinarayi-chandy.html Solar Commission report to be made public Thursday All you need to know OnManorama 2017-11-08 Kerala secretariat siege Mounting pressure on Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to tender for a judicial investigation and thereby his resignation over the solar scam, the CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) on 12 August 2013, had conducted an indefinite, allegedly illegal siege on the state secretariat which lasted for 30 hours.LDF lays siege to Kerala Secretariat https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ldf-lays-siege-to-kerala-secretariat/article5014890.ece 24 February 2014 The Hindu 13 August 2013LDF calls off Secretariat siege https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ldf-calls-off-secretariat-siege/article5018538.ece 24 February 2014 The Hindu 14 August 2014 The siege was addressed by Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) chief H.D Deve Gowda and CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat. The activists of the LDF, who blocked three entry and exit gates of the Kerala Secretariat and claimed that the fourth will be blocked later in that day.One lakh LDF workers to lay siege to Kerala secretariat today http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/one-lakh-ldf-workers-to-lay-siege-to-kerala-secretariat-today--11770.html 28 January 2014 Indiatv 28 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140228144152/http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/one-lakh-ldf-workers-to-lay-siege-to-kerala-secretariat-today--11770.html dead The Left Democratic Front in Kerala had demanded a judicial investigation in the scam, which was later allowed by the government which led to the conclusion of the siege. Crime branch findings The Crime Branch appointed by First Vijayan ministry in the year 2018 found that there was no evidence against Oommen Chandy in the scam.No evidence against Chandy, finds Crime Branch on harassment plaint of solar-scam accused https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2021/03/26/no-evidence-against-chandy-crime-branch-harassment-plaint-solar-.html Our currespondent 26 March 2021 OnmanoramaSolar rape case: No proof against Oommen Chandy, says Crime Branch report https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/solar-rape-case-no-proof-against-oommen-chandy-says-crime-branch-report-1.5543631 Pankaj Biju 25 March 2021 Mathrubhumi As part of the procedures, the state home secretary T. K. Jose had forwarded a report to the central government. According to the report, no evidence could be collected against Chandy and the Crime Branch failed to confirm that the incident mentioned in the complaint actually happened. The case was handed over to the central agency after several teams of the Kerala Police, repeatedly failed to prove the allegations against Chandy. References Category:Renewable energy in India Category:2013 crimes in India Category:2010s in Kerala Category:Political corruption in India Category:Crime in Kerala Category:Corruption in Kerala Category:Indian National Congress of Kerala