![Solar scandal: UDF slams Kerala govt for handing over rape cases to CBI ahead of Assembly elections](http://media.assettype.com/nationwide%2F2021-01%2F97815357-da40-4acd-90c9-307a02ecb669%2FOOmen_Chandy.jpg?rect=0%2C0%2C2604%2C1465&w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
The United Democratic Front (UDF) slammed the Kerala government after the latter decided to hand over rape cases in the 2013 solar scamto the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the case is being handled just before the Assembly elections and is politically motivated. “For nearly five years, the LDF government were sitting on the case. As the Assembly election in the State is approaching, they decided to hand it over to the CBI,” he said, adding that this shows the tie-up between the CPM and the BJP.
According to reports, the Left Democratic Front government has decided to hand over the rape cases in the scam to the central agency following the complainant request to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The complainant, an accused in the solar scam, alleged that she was sexually abused and levelled rape allegations against Congress leaders Chandy, KC Venugopal, Hibi Eden, Adoor Prakash, AP Anilkumar and former Congress leader AP Abdullakutty. She had earlier accused Jose K Mani, who recently defected to LDF, but no case has been registered against him.
The scam took place during the UDF government’s tenure with Chandy’s as Chief Minister. The timing of the LDF government’s move is questionable as Kerala is months away from the Assembly election.