Solar scam: Ex-Ker CM Chandy appears in court

Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Monday appeared in a city civil court in connection with a solar project cheating case, with the court directing him to be present before it on every hearing to begin the process of cross-examination.

Additional City Civil and Sessions Court Judge N R Channakeshava had directed the Congress leader to be present on December 13, but he did not appear. Bengaluru-based businessman M K Kuruvilla had filed a petition in 2015 seeking return of Rs 1,60,85,700 deposited with SCOSSA Educational Consultants Private Limited, the first defendant, for setting up a solar power project in Kerala.

As the hearing resumed, counsel for Kuruvilla sought time for studying the affidavit submitted by Chandy.

Kuruvilla’s counsel, in his submissions, alleged that the copy of the affidavit given to him was different from the one which was submitted to the court on Monday.

“Hence, we seek time for studying the affidavit, as it is different from the copy of the affidavit we received sometimes back,” he said.

Sustaining the plea, the judge adjourned the matter to January nine and directed Chandy to appear before him for cross-examination.

On October 24, the court had directed six persons, including Chandy, and a firm to together pay an amount of Rs 1,60,85,700 to Kuruvilla, with 12 per cent interest, for a solar project that did not materialize.