JOIN USBiju Radhakrishnan and Saritha S Nair, prime accused in the controversial solar scam that rocked Kerala’s political establishment for two years, were on Thursday sentenced to six years’ rigorous imprisonment each in connection with a cheating case.
The Pathanamthitta Judicial First Class Magistrate Court pronounced the verdict on a case where the complainant — US-based E K Baburajan — stated that Radhakrishnan and Saritha had duped him into investing Rs 1.19 crore by promising position of a director in a solar energy solutions company they managed.
This is the first court verdict on a case registered as part of the solar scam.
The court pronounced the verdict based on prosecution arguments that proved charges that included cheating and forgery.
Radhakrishnan and Saritha were also slapped with fines of Rs 75 lakh and Rs 45 lakh each. The court granted bail to Saritha who later told reporters that she would go for an appeal against the verdict “within a week”.
Radhakrishnan is in prison after being convicted in a case in connection with the murder of his wife Rashmi.
He also said he would move the high court against the verdict.
Saritha was Radhakrishnan’s partner when the duo floated a company providing solar energy solutions.