Kochi: The Special Investigation Team probing the petitions pertaining to the solar scam on Monday took the statement of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in connection with allegations that he was blackmailed in connection with the scam.
According to sources, Mr Chandy maintained that he was subjected to blackmail as he refused to divulge details of the conversation that solar scam accused Biju Radhakrishnan had with him before the solar case surfaced.
He did not specify the names of any persons in this connection. He was learnt to have repeated his earlier stand that since it was a personal conversation affecting certain persons, he would not reveal it.
The SIT called on Chandy at his residence here on Monday and took his statement. The probe was initiated on the basis of a petition filed by BJP state general secretary K Surendran seeking a probe into Mr Chandy’s statement that he was subjected to blackmail. It was after the government ordered a fresh probe on the basis of the judicial commission’s report that Chandy said that he was subjected to blackmail in connection with the solar scam. But he refused to divulge details of those who blackmailed him.
Biju Radhakrishnan had called on Mr. Chandy at the Aluva guest house and they had a closed door meeting. Mr. Chandy was then Chief Minister. Later there were reports that the conversation was about certain personal matters related to K B Ganesh Kumar, who was a minister then.
Meanwhile, the SIT was yet to commence a probe into the sexual allegations raised by Saritha S Nair. Mr. Chandy had even approached the court against the judicial commission report.
