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{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

The '''2013 Kerala solar panel scam''' occurred in 2013, when a [[solar energy]] company, ''Team Solar'', in [[Kerala]], India, used two women to create political contacts with links including to the [[Chief Minister of Kerala|Chief Minister's office]]. The company duped several influential people to the tune of 70 lakhs, by offering to make them business partners, or by offering to install solar power units for them, and receiving advance payments for the same. ''Team Solar'' was unsuccessful in lobbying Kerala Govt to get their firm included in [[Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology|ANERT]] programmes.

==Incident==
The Team Solar Energy Company (Team Solar),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/one-woman-many-powerful-men/296798|title=One Woman & Many Powerful Men|work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook Magazine]]|accessdate=2016-08-31|date=6 April 2016}}</ref> floated by the main accused [[Biju Radhakrishnan]] and [[Saritha. S. Nair]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Saritha Nair's 10 tips to people who are in love|url=http://www.cochintalkies.com/celebrity/saritha-s-nair.html|accessdate=19 June 2015|newspaper=Cochin Talkies|date=19 June 2015}}</ref> directors of the company, allegedly collected advance amounts from large number of people and investors by offering to make them business partners, or in the guise of installing alternate sources of energy and failed to deliver the goods. The company awarded a "Virgin Earth Golden Feather Environment Award" to several prominent people of Kerala to gain media coverage and credibility.<ref name=award>{{cite news|title=Solar panel scam: Saritha makes statement in court|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/solar-panel-scam-saritha-makes-statement-in-court/article4935243.ece|accessdate=25 July 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=20 July 2013}}</ref> The scam came to light when one of the customers who had paid for the installation filed a case against the company. The arrangement has defrauded several agencies and people to the tune of crores of rupees and at least one lady actor was used as "brand ambassador" to lure gullible people.<ref name=today1>{{cite news|last=PTI|title=Name of another starlet crops up in solar panel scam |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/name-of-another-starlet-crops-up-in-solar-panel-scam/1/290943.html|accessdate=25 July 2013|newspaper=India Today|date=12 July 2013}}</ref> There were widespread protests across the state, mainly by Leftist youth groups, after an interview with an industrialist was aired on television, which alleged fraud by the company.<ref name=boil>{{cite news|title=Kerala boils over solar panel scam|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/343860/kerala-boils-over-solar-panel.html|accessdate=25 July 2013|newspaper=Deccan Herald|date=9 July 2013}}</ref> The incident drew much attention because most of those who lost big money were all influential people, the women allegedly involved fueled the imagination/ jealousy of the depraved Malayalam Media{{citation needed|reason= Insulting towards M→→←→alayali media, without reason|date=December 2015}} and the alleged involvement of three officials from the office of the Chief Minister of [[Kerala]], [[Oommen Chandy]], who made several phone calls to Saritha. It caused great embarrassment to Chandy, who faced demands for his resignation; two of the officials involved in phone conversation, lost their positions.<ref name=gather>{{cite news|title=Solar panel scam: Demand for Kerala CM's resignation gathers momentum|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/solar-panel-scam-demand-for-kerala-cm-s-resignation-gathers-momentum-113071300109_1.html|accessdate=25 July 2013|newspaper=Business Standard|date=13 July 2013}}</ref> The total amount involved in the scam, calculated on the basis of complaints, is less than {{INRConvert|100|m}} but the aggressive protests by Leftist political parties and the ''modus operandi'' used by the company has made the scam notorious.<ref name=total1>{{cite news|title=Solar scam eclipses a sunshine industry|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/solar-scam-eclipses-a-sunshine-industry/article4898713.ece|accessdate=25 July 2013|newspaper=Business LIne|date=10 July 2013}}</ref>

==Arrests==
Five persons have been arrested in connection with this scam. The chief accused, Saritha Nair<ref>{{cite web|title=Solar panel cheating: Sarita S Nair under judicial custody|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=136988|publisher=Mathrubhumi|accessdate=15 July 2013|archive-date=19 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619022254/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=136988|url-status=dead}}</ref> and one of the Chief Minister's personal aides Tenny Joppan<ref>{{cite web|title=Solar panel scam: Tenny Joppen remanded to judicial custody|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/solar-panel-scam-tenny-joppan-remanded-to-judicial-custody/article4863120.ece|work=The Hindu|accessdate=15 July 2013}}</ref> has been fired and arrested. The director of the Public Relations Department, who allegedly received Rs 500,000 from the Team Solar man, has been suspended and has gone underground fearing arrest. Other people accused in the case, who have been arrested include Biju Radhakrishnan,<ref>{{cite web|title=Solar scandal: Biju Radhakrishnan arrested|url=http://www.madhyamam.com/en/node/13140|publisher=Madhyamam|accessdate=15 July 2013}}</ref> and Malayalam movie/TV actress and danseuse, Shalu Menon.<ref>{{cite web|title=Actress Shalu Menon arrested |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/news/2013/shalu-menon-is-arrested-113711.html|publisher=oneindia.in|accessdate=15 July 2013}}</ref>

===Biju Radhakrishnan===
Biju Radhakrishnan was already caught in a case pertaining to the murder of his wife Rashmi. However, despite having evidence of his involvement in the murder, he was not arrested<ref>{{cite web|title=Biju Radhakrishnan walked free despite evidence|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-22/thiruvananthapuram/40133428_1_reshmi-crime-branch-forensic-report|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729140718/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-22/thiruvananthapuram/40133428_1_reshmi-crime-branch-forensic-report|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 July 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|accessdate=15 July 2013}}</ref> After his arrest, at Coimbatore, by the Kollam Crime Branch CID, he admitted to Rashmi's murder by giving her poisoned liquor.<ref>{{cite news|title=Biju admits to killing his wife Reshmi|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/story.php?id=137137|accessdate=15 July 2013|newspaper=Mathrubhumi|date=19 June 2013}}</ref>

===Saritha S Nair===
Saritha Nair was a director of the Team Solar Renewable Energy Co. and an accomplice of the Biju Radhakrishnan in the Solar Scam.<ref>[http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/11/08/solar-commission-report-public-pinarayi-chandy.html Saritha Nair Letter]</ref> She was arrested on the complaint of one of the persons who she had defrauded, in Ambalapuzha<ref>{{cite news|title=Saritha Nair in police custody|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/saritha-nair-in-police-custody/article4826121.ece|accessdate=15 July 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=18 June 2013}}</ref>
She later requested the Economic Offences court where her case is being heard, that she wanted to give a secret statement,<ref>{{cite web|title=Saritha makes secret statement|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130721/news-current-affairs/article/saritha-makes-secret-statement|work=Deccan Chronicle|accessdate=21 July 2013|date=21 July 2013}}</ref> which would help to broaden the scope of the investigation. Her attorney, Fenny Balakrishnan termed the revelations as very crucial and capable of changing the direction of the investigation. She was released on bail in February 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kerala: Solar panel scam accused Saritha Nair released on jail|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/crime/kerala-solar-panel-scam-accused-saritha-nair-released-on-bail/|accessdate=24 February 2014|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=21 February 2014}}</ref> Her name reappeared in the news after her scandal video was released and went viral on social media including [[WhatsApp]] on 12 October 2014. On 2015 June 2 her short film Anthyakoodasha was released on YouTube, which has crossed 500k views as on 18 May 2016.

===Shalu Menon===
Television and film actress [[Shalu Menon]], a close associate of Biju Radhakrishnan, initially denied any knowledge or relationship with Biju Radhakrishnan. Photographs showing the two of them posing together or Biju handing over keys to a new vehicle she had purchased recently were explained away, on TV, as pictures taken at his request.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shalu Menon denies involvement in solar scam|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/shalu-menon-denies-involvement-in-solar-scam/article4823751.ece|work=The Hindu|accessdate=15 July 2013}}</ref> Later, she came under the scanner of the Police and was arrested upon concluding that she was also an accomplice to the scam and had used her popularity to entice customers into parting with their money. She was released on bail in August 2013.<ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite news|title=Solar scam case: Joppan, Shalu walk out of jail|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/solar-scam-case-joppan-shalu-walk-out-of-jail/article5056778.ece|accessdate=24 February 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=25 August 2013}}</ref>

===Tenny Joppan===
Tenny, an aide and personal staff member of Kerala Chief Minister [[Oommen Chandy]] was arrested on charges of cheating, for aiding Biju Radhakrishnan and Saritha for defrauding a businessman, Sreedharan Nair, to the tune of 40 Lakh Indian Rupees. He was released on bail in August 2013.<ref name="thehindu.com"/>

===A. Firoze===
A. Firoz, a government servant, surrendered himself on 18 July, after the court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail. He was accused of helping to dupe a builder of 4 million Rupees along with Biju and Saritha, by claiming one of them was an ADB official and they could arrange a contract with the ADB. He was suspended from service after his name surfaced as one of the accomplices of Biju.<ref>{{cite web|title=Former PRD director Firoz surrenders after HC rejects his plea|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=14562475&tabId=1&programId=11565535|publisher=Manorama Online|access-date=8 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101114556/http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=14562475&tabId=1&programId=11565535|archive-date=1 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Phone call controversy==
At least four Kerala Cabinet ministers, three MLAs and hordes of government officials besides a junior Central Minister had been roped in by the women and their phone calls.<ref>{{cite web|title=Solar Scam: ADGP seeks explanation on leakage of phone calls details|url=http://www.keralanext.com/news/2013/07/06/article130.asp|publisher=Kerala Next|accessdate=15 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102010418/http://www.keralanext.com/news/2013/07/06/article130.asp|archive-date=2 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Action against IG T J Jose for leaking phone details|url=http://kaumudiglobal.com/innerpage1.php?newsid=38465|publisher=Kerala Kaumudi|accessdate=15 July 2013}}</ref>

== Allegations against the Chief Minister ==
Allegations against the Chief Minister [[Oommen Chandy]] have been raised, due to phone calls made by his personal staff and forged letters<ref>{{cite web|title=Scam-accused had forged Kerala CM's letterhead: Aide|url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/Scam-accused-had-forged-Kerala-CMs-letterhead-Aide/2013/06/27/article1654794.ece|work=The New Indian Express|accessdate=15 July 2013}}</ref> which were used by the fraudsters to defraud customers. The issue snowballed when Sridharan Nair, a quarry owner, claimed that he had met the Chief Minister, at his office, along with Saritha, during which the Chief Minister encouraged investments in renewable energy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Solar scam: Sreedharan Nair reveals he and Saritha met CM|url=http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/theWeekContent.do?contentId=14481195&programId=1073754912&tabId=13|work=The Week|accessdate=15 July 2013}}</ref> The Chief Minister refuted these claims on the floor of the Assembly, stating that the only time he met Sridharan Nair was as a representative of Quarry owners.<ref>{{cite web|title=Solar eclipse threat to CM - Kerala crisis deepens|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130709/jsp/nation/story_17096549.jsp|work=The Telegraph|accessdate=15 July 2013}}</ref> The allegations are being used by the opposition LDF as a reason to stall the proceedings of the Kerala Legislative Assembly<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerala assembly stalled again over Solar case|url=http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=news&id=146611&heading=India|work=Oman Tribune|accessdate=15 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101140515/http://www.omantribune.com/index.php?page=news&id=146611&heading=India|archive-date=1 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and demand the resignation of the Kerala Chief Minister.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/11/08/solar-commission-report-public-pinarayi-chandy.html|title=Solar Commission report to be made public Thursday {{!}} All you need to know|work=OnManorama|access-date=2017-11-08}}</ref>

==Kerala secretariat siege==
Mounting pressure on [[Kerala]] Chief Minister [[Oommen Chandy]] to tender for a judicial investigation and thereby his resignation over the solar scam, the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI (M)]]-led [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]] (LDF) on 12 August 2013, had conducted an indefinite, allegedly illegal siege on the state secretariat which lasted for 30 hours.<ref>{{cite news|title=LDF lays siege to Kerala Secretariat|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ldf-lays-siege-to-kerala-secretariat/article5014890.ece|accessdate=24 February 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=13 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=LDF calls off Secretariat siege|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ldf-calls-off-secretariat-siege/article5018538.ece|accessdate=24 February 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=14 August 2014}}</ref> The siege was addressed by Former Prime Minister and [[Janata Dal (Secular)]] chief [[H. D. Deve Gowda|H.D Deve Gowda]] and CPI(M) General Secretary [[Prakash Karat]]. The activists of the [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|LDF]], who blocked three entry and exit gates of the [[Kerala Secretariat]] and claimed that the fourth will be blocked later in that day.<ref>{{cite news|title=One lakh LDF workers to lay siege to Kerala secretariat today|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/one-lakh-ldf-workers-to-lay-siege-to-kerala-secretariat-today--11770.html|accessdate=28 January 2014|newspaper=Indiatv}}</ref> The [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]] in Kerala had demanded a judicial investigation in the scam, which was later allowed by the government which led to the conclusion of the siege.

==Crime branch findings==
The [[Criminal Investigation Department (India)|Crime Branch]] appointed by [[First Vijayan ministry]] in the year 2018 found that there was no evidence against [[Oommen Chandy]] in the scam.<ref name="mn_1">{{Cite news|title=No evidence against Chandy, finds Crime Branch on harassment plaint of solar-scam accused |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2021/03/26/no-evidence-against-chandy-crime-branch-harassment-plaint-solar-.html|last=Our currespondent|date=26 March 2021|work=Onmanorama|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="mb_1">{{Cite news|title=Solar rape case: No proof against Oommen Chandy, says Crime Branch report|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/solar-rape-case-no-proof-against-oommen-chandy-says-crime-branch-report-1.5543631|last=Pankaj|first=Biju|date=25 March 2021|work=Mathrubhumi}}</ref> As part of the procedures, the state home secretary T. K. Jose had forwarded a report to the central government.<ref name="mb_1"/> According to the report, no evidence could be collected against Chandy and the Crime Branch failed to confirm that the incident mentioned in the complaint actually happened.<ref name="mb_1"/> The case was handed over to the central agency after several teams of the [[Kerala Police]], repeatedly failed to prove the allegations against Chandy.<ref name="mn_1"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=Renewable energy in India, 2013 crimes in India, History of Kerala (1947–present), Political corruption in India, Corruption in Kerala, Indian National Congress of Kerala
|description=
}}

[[Category:Renewable energy in India]]
[[Category:2013 crimes in India]]
[[Category:History of Kerala (1947–present)]]
[[Category:Political corruption in India]]
[[Category:Corruption in Kerala]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress of Kerala]]

2013 Kerala solar panel scam - Revision history

MetaBOT at 18:01, 8 July 2023