Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 2 (IANS) Even as the CPI-M’s V.S. Achuthanandan has approached the Supreme Court demanding the cancellation of amnesty given to former Kerala minister R. Balakrishna Pillai, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Wednesday said the action was taken within the law of the land.
Pillai, 76, chief of the Kerala Congress-Pillai — an ally of the Congress-led coalition — was in February sentenced by the apex court to an year’s imprisonment for corruption. The case was pursued for more than a decade by Achuthanandan.
On Tuesday, Pillai, along with 137 jail inmates, was released after the government decided to give amnesty on the occasion of the Kerala formation anniversary day.
Another 2,500 inmates will see their jail term reduced.
Spaeking to reporters, Chandy said: ‘Just because Pillai is in jail, we are not scared to use the rule of law thinking that it might create a controversy.’
‘We have only done as the rule permits. We could have given the amnesty on Aug 15 when the country celebrated the Independence Day. We are prepared to face anything in this issue,’ he said after the weekly cabinet meeting.
