The main accused in Kerala’s solar panel scam, Saritha S Nair, sought a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s alleged involvement in the case. In a petition she filed in Kochi High Court on Monday, Nair asked the court to direct the state government to constitute a separate agency – the CBI, if possible – to re-investigate Chandy’s involvement in the scam, PTI reported.

In her petition, Nair accused the state government-appointed Special Investigation Team of “consciously refusing” to look into evidence related to a meeting between Chandy and businessman Mallelil Sreedharan Nair. She said Sreedharan Nair had met Chandy to get personal assurance from him before investing an initial amount of Rs 40 lakh in the mega solar project. She added in her plea that Chandy’s office had also been paid money as part of the scam.

Nair and her partner Biju Radhakrishnan were arrested in 2013 for duping investors of lakhs of rupees after promising to install solar panels for them or offering them shares in large solar farms. After receiving the money, they would disappear. Chandy and other Congress ministers were also accused of taking money and sexual favours as part of the scam. Nair alleged that she paid Chandy a bribe of Rs 1.9 crore, while Radhakrishnan said he paid Chandy up to Rs 5.5 crore. Chandy’s alleged involvement in the scam comes ahead of the state's Assembly elections, which are scheduled for May 16. In his defense, the chief minister had claimed the liquor lobby started this conspiracy after the state decided to close down bars in Kerala.