Commission allows prime accused to 'discover' video clippings

KOCHI: In a dramatic turn of events, a judicial commission probing the solar panel scam today allowed a prime accused in the case to "discover" purported video clippings in which six "powerful" Kerala politicians, including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, talking to his partner Saritha S Nair and "engaging in wrong situations".

Hours after Justice G Sivarajan commission's directive, four police officials and a lawyer representing the Commission left along with prime accused Biju Radhakrishinan to the area, said to be out of Kerala, to "discover" the video clippings.

Radhakrishnan, who was allowed time till today to produce the video clippings before it, failed to do so.

He submitted an application before the Commission, requesting that he be given more time to produce the document. He submitted that he was serving life term in jail in a case so that more time is required to produce the material.

The Commission, however, rejected his demand, saying he has levelled sensational allegations against those at the helm of the government and "it shall not hang as a Sword of Damocles" over their heads.

The Commission, which rejected Radhakrishnan's plea that his lawyer also be allowed to go with him to the spot where the video clippings are kept, sent its advocate Harikumar, two of its police personnel and two police personnel from the armed police along with him.

Earlier, during the brief hearing, the Commission said it would make arrangements to send Radhakrishnan "through proper method" to bring the evidence before it safely.

Deposing before the Commission on December 2, Radhakrishnan had said he had shown the videos of five politicians with Saritha to the Chief Minister.

He, however, did not deliberately show the sixth person's video as it was reportedly the CM himself. "I have evidence with me to prove this. I will produce it, if required," he had said in his deposition recorded on December 2.

Radhakrishnan, now serving life term in jail for murder of his first wife, said he had met Chief Minister while he was on the run following the arrest of Saritha after the scam came to light.