Solar scam: Judge who ordered FIR against Oommen Chandy opts for voluntary retirement

Thiruvananthapuram: Thrissur Vigilance Court judge SS Vassan, who ordered registration of an FIR against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in connection with the solar scam, has opted for voluntary retirement.

Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Thrissur, SS Vassan's decision comes just hours after Kerala High Court today put on hold a lower court order for registering an FIR against Chandy and his cabinet colleague Power Minister Arayadan Mohammed in solar panel scam case.

The petition of Chandy and state Power Minister Aryadan Mohammed came up before Justice P Ubaid, who put the lower court order on hold for two months.

Considering pleas filed by Chandy and Mohammed, Justice P Ubaid observed that the Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance), Thrissur, acted mechanically without knowing the nature and extent of its powers.

While deposing before the Commission probing the case, Saritha Nair had alleged that she had paid bribes to the tune of Rs 1.90 crore to a close aide of Chandy and Rs 40 lakh to power minister Arayadan Mohammed. Both have denied the allegations.

Saritha had alleged that the bribe was paid for getting favourable decisions to the Team solar company floated by her and co-accused Biju Radhakrishnan.