Ex-minister convicted in graft case surrenders in court

Kochi, Feb 18 (PTI) Former state Power Minister and KeralaCongress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai, sentenced to oneyear imprisonment by the Supreme Court in a corruption caserecently, today surrendered before the special court that hadtried the 20-year-old case here.

Seventy-six year old Pillai, followers, turned upbefore the court, responding to its order that either hesurrender or police execute its Non-Bailable Warrant order.

The third accused, P K Sajeevan, a contractor, alsosurrendered while the second accused and former KSEB chairmanRamabhadran Nair, 81, is in a state of dementia.

The court had two days ago rejected the petition filed byPillai seeking more time on health grounds to respond to theNon-Bailable Warrant issued by it.

The Supreme Court sentenced Pillai and two others for oneyear rigorous imprisonment on February 10, reversing theHigh Court verdict acquitting them.

According to the prosecution, the accused conspired inawarding the contract for construction of tunnel and surgeshaft of the Edmalayar Hydro Electric Project in 1980s,causing Rs 2 crore loss to the state exchequer.