Opposition leader files petition in HC

KOCHI: Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan on Tuesday filed a petition in the Kerala high court seeking to "participate" in the appeals relating to Edamalayar case, being heard by the high court.
The hearing of appeals filed by R Balakrishna Pillai, state Transport minister and other accused in the case is being heard by Justice N Krishnan Nair. The state had filed a petition praying for enhancement of sentence.
Achuthanandan, in his petition, contended that because of his efforts earlier, the move of the prosecution to withdraw the case against the accused was defeated.
Pillai and other two accused were convicted and sentenced by the Edamalayar special court on November 10, 1999.
The petition is likely to be heard on Wednesday.
The case relates to irregularities found in awarding of a contract for the construction of a tunnel for Edmalayar Power project, when Pillai was the state Electricity Minister.