The outcome of Kerala's solar investigation

Kerala’s politicians and media should have learned some lessons from the 1994 ISRO spy case. That could have lent some meaning to their bragging about Kerala’s political morality and enlightenment. The now unfolding solar case shows that political leadership learnt nothing from their crucifixion of a scientist and a chief minister over some trumped up false stories. The story that the Malayalam media broke in 2013 ran like this: a woman establishes relationship with those in power and the biggies for a fictional solar power project and cheated them of huge amounts; she was then subjected to blackmailing by others for their selfish motives.

It is now revealed that beyond catering to public exciting revelations day and night, both print and visual media never paid attention to get to the truth. Most recently the state assembly meeting also showcased the ugly side of how the competing political fronts used solar revelations as a weapon to either capture or retain power when polls were due in 2016. The CBI investigation, instituted by the Left Front government, reveals that the Left wanted to end popular leader Oomen Chandy’s public life more than bringing him down from power. The complainant’s sexual assault charge against Oomen Chandy had no prima facie or circumstantial evidence. All those people who she mentioned as witnesses to money transaction and sexual harassment denied charges. They admitted to the Crime Branch that they had borne false witness after receiving money. The CBI also found that the complainant’s letter was obtained from them by offering Rs.50 lakhs. More important, it is revealed that the complainant had not initially recorded Oommen Chandy’a name which was later crammed in. It remains as a mystery why Kerala’s biggest TV channel is now revealing the suffering of Oommen Chandy - who is extolled even by political opponents as popular - and his family. Meanwhile, an MLA waiting to enter cabinet is the main character in the whole episode. He is now sitting in the assembly unperturbed pretending not to be a hypocrite. Opposition leader V D Satheesan demands CBI investigation saying the prime accused in the criminal conspiracy is in the position of chief minister.

The chief minister has assured that the government is ready for further probe if the Opposition demands it. Nobody is going to lose sleep over extending investigation. The reason is clear: even bigger revelations in the past following investigation caused no trouble to politicians or officials. Then, why flex muscles denying investigation! The crux of the problem lies in the moral crisis that has engulfed the entire nation. Those in power cultivate no honesty, decency and humane values, rather than indulging in altercations over Sanatana Dharma. The situation has only worsened with the advent of uncontrollable social media. Let those who pursue good think about whether it is possible to pull the society out of this cesspool.