Kochi: Kerala Minister Shibu Baby John on Monday clarified that he was sorry for the comments he made against the Justice Sivarajan Commission probing the multi-crore solar scam.
He explained through an affidavit that he had not tried to malign the commission and added that his ire was directed against frauds who had questioned the integrity of the CM. The commission had summoned the minister after he made some comments against it.
The commission criticised the minister and said that even though it was not happy with the reply, it was accepting the regret expressed by the minister. The commission observed that such comments were unbecoming of a minister.
It also took exception to the fact that Saritha Nair was missing her date with the commission, which it believed, could raise suspicions.
Meanwhile, UDF convenor, PP Thankachan said that the commission was biased after it summoned Shibu Baby John to explain his stance. Judges are not beyond criticism because if they can criticise, they should also be ready to bear it, he said.
“If judges can cross their limits, why can't people’s representatives do so,” he wondered.
The police association will not be cross-examining Saritha on Monday. The association had sought permission to cross-examine her after she alleged that she had paid Rs 20 lakhs to the association as bribe. The decision to postpone the cross-examination was taken as arguments of minister Aryadan Mohammed and others are pending before the commission and had to be completed.
On complaints that Saritha had made the allegation prompted by Left sympathisers within the association, the HC had allowed the DGP to collect information about her phone calls.