Remission petition by Balakrishna Pillai.

The remission petition seeking a reduction of jail term on the grounds of ill health by R Balakrishna Pillai, who is undergoing one-year rigorous imprisonment in Edamalayar case, seems ridiculous. In the Supreme Court of Kottarakkara, where his son and a few UDF ministers are judges there is all the possibility for him to get exemption for remaining period in the Central prison. This I say because it was UDF leaders who arranged a 'martyr's' reception for Pillai when he was sentenced for one year rigorous imprisonment by the Apex Court.

If Pillai still claims he is innocent, it is scrupulous for him to approach the Supreme Court with remission petition. Instead the gimmicks the sort now played will be detrimental for him and the Government wherein his son is a minister. And any hasty action to reduce the jail term to Pillai would open numerous litigations and its ramification would be high.

K A Solaman