Thiruvananthapuram: A fresh petition filed by Sarita S. Nair, solar scam convict, repeating her earlier allegations, including rape, is likely to pave the way for registration of rape case against former chief minister Oommen Chandy and others even before the state government issues any formal orders on the basis of the judicial commission report. Sources said that the fresh letter is also suspected to be a ploy as the formal orders on the basis of the solar commission report was getting delayed owing to legal issues.
Sarita submitted the 17-page letter to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan through a messenger on Thursday seeking a probe by a special team into the sexual assaults she faced. She alleged that though she had filed two complaints in this regard during the term of the previous UDF government, no actions were initiated. Mr Vijayan forwarded the fresh letter to state police chief Loknath Behera. As per norms, the police are bound to register a case as soon as an information regarding a sexual assault against a woman is received.
According to legal sources, since the alleged sexual assault was a few years ago, it would be nearly impossible to get any medical evidence. However, if the police get evidence to prove the presence of the accused at the alleged spot of sexual assault at the said time, the police may be able to even chargesheet the accused. But when it comes to legal scrutiny, the crucial factors would be the behaviour of the victim before and after the alleged sexual assault, especially her relationship with the accused.
Sarita's earlier statement in an interview that she was offered Rs. 10 crore by a CPM leader for naming Mr. Chandy may also weaken the fresh rape allegations. Meanwhile, ADGP K Padmakumar sent a letter to the government the other day alleging that Sarita raised baseless allegations against him as he had initiated a probe against her earlier. The government had decided to take action against Padmakumar on the basis of the solar commission report.
