Specical court issues arrest warrant against ex-minister

Kochi, Feb 16 (PTI) Five days after the Supreme Courtsentenced former Kerala minister R Balakrishnan Pillai toone-year imprisonment in a corruption case, the special courtwhich tried the case, here today directed police to execute anarrest warrant against him before February 19.

The court gave the direction while rejecting a petitionfiled by Pillai seeking time for the execution of the arrestwarrant on health grounds.

Reacting to the development, Pillai said he wouldsurrender before the court on February 18.

"My plea has been rejected. I will surrender before thecourt on February 18. If the police wants to arrest me beforethat date I would co-operate with them," Pillai told media.

Pillai, leader of the Kerala Congress (B) and a formerElectricity Minister in the Congress-led UDF Government, wasawarded the punishment by the Apex Court alongwith a formerChairman of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and acontractor.

The case related to corruption in awarding contract forconstruction of tunnel and surge shaft of the Edmalayar HydroElectric Project in 1980s.

The prosecution case was that they entered into aconspiracy that caused a loss of Rs 2 crore to KSEB byawarding contracts.