Kerala govt to release Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai

KOCHI: The Kerala government has decided to release former minister and Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai from imprisonment on November 1, the state formation day.

Pillai was put in jail following a Supreme Court verdict in the Edamalayar project case. The apex court sentenced Pillai and two others for one year rigorous imprisonment in February 2010.

Pillai’s name has now been included in the list of 138 prisoners being released as part of the state formation day. Kerala Congress (B) is a member of the ruling coalition in the state.

Pillai was recently in news for the telephone calls that he had made from the prison cell. An enquiry conducted by the state police found that he was guilty of making telephone calls from the prison.

Following this his one-yearterm was extended by another 4 days. Commenting on the decision to release Pillai from the prison, Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan said the government has challenged the rule of law through the order.