Saritha produces "evidence" before judicial commission

Kochi: Saritha S Nair, prime accused in the solar panel scam Tuesday produced a sealed cover containing "evidence" before a judicial commission probing the scam, claiming that it would "justify" her statements before it.

Deposing before the Justice G Sivarajan Commission last week, she had produced a sealed cover containing details of powerful politicians who allegedly sexually abused her in Kerala.

Saritha, who was allowed by the Commission to produce details of the alleged incidents and supporting documentary evidences in sealed covers, today said the "new sealed cover contains audio and video evidences to justify her statements before the panel" and sought time to produce more such evidences in the coming days too.

Meanwhile, the Commission expressed doubts about its ability to submit the report before April 27 deadline.

The Commission made this observation in view of more revelations about the scam by the witnesses and during cross-examinations of parties.

All the new developments have to be examined and it is a time taking process, the Commission noted.

During a cross-examination by lawyer of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, against whom also she had leveled corruption charges, Saritha said she had applied for change of her name as Lakshmi just ahead of her arrest after being made an accused in the scam.

Saritha said she was not sure whether the change of name has been notified in the Gazette as she was in jail for several months.

She, however, said in all court cases she has been described as Saritha alias Lakshmi.

The solar panel scam pertains to alleged duping of several persons to the tune of crores of rupees by Saritha and her accomplice Biju Radhakrishnan by offering solar panel solutions.