THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Home Department has written to the Jail ADGP seeking the opinion on the remission petition filed by R Balakrishna Pillai.Pillai had submitted a remission petition to the Home Department last week citing health reasons. In his petition, he mentioned that he is having acute diabetes and is a chronic cardiac patient. He is currently on parole and has sought the help of the government in getting his punishment period relaxed. Pillai will have to return to jail on June 13 after completing the present parole period.The jailed Kerala Congress leader has sought a remission of his sentence on the basis of Article 161 of the Constitution which deals with the power of the Governor to grant pardons and to suspend, remit or commute sentences of any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the state extends.For the Governor to invoke his powers, the Cabinet will have to first take a decision. Before the Cabinet arrives at such a decision, the ADGP (Prisons) will have to send a proposal. Pillai, once he completes the 13day extended parole, will have consumed all of the 45 daysparole a convict is allowed in a year.He was punished after finding him guilty of conspiracy to cause a loss of over Rs 2 crore to the Kerala State Electricity Board by awarding contracts for construction of a power tunnel and surge shaft of the Idamalayar hydel project at an extraordinarily high rate.Though the High Court had acquitted Pillai, the Supreme Court had reversed the acquittal order following an appeal filed by V S Achuthanandan. Balakrishna Pillai was sent to jail on February 17 after which he was unable to contest the elections. Sources said that the Chief Minister will be taking a decision on the remission petition once the Home Department submits the file with the report of the Jail ADGP.
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