CBI to probe rape charges against Oommen Chandy, others raised by solar scam accused

Thiruvananthapuram: The sensational rape case against former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and others filed by the solar scam accused will be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Apart from Chandy, case has been filed UDF leaders KC Venugopal, Adoor Prakash, Hibi Eden and BJP leader AP Abdullakutty.

The state government decided to let CBI probe the case after the victim recently wrote to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan demanding central agency probe into the incident.

The recommendation from the state will soon be conveyed to the Centre.

It was in October 2018, case was registered against Chandy, KC Venugopal, and Hibi Eden based on the victim’s statement. Following this, case was filed against former minister AP Anilkumar, Adoor Prakash and Anilkumar’s private secretary Sahadulla as well.

According to the woman’s statement, Chandy sexually exploited her at Cliff House, the official residence of the Chief Minister, in 2012. The abuse by ministers continued in official residences and MLA hostels, she had said.

The six cases are presently probed by special investigation team. On January 20, the victim wrote to CM demanding CBI probe in the cases.

The assault cases relating to solar scam had been subjected to judicial probe and investigation by government agencies.

The crucial move by the state government comes just few months ahead of the Assembly elections. This is expected to trigger political discussions and equations in the state on coming days.