'Fortunate that Veerappan didn't become ally of LDF before he died': Balakrishna Pillai's memorial is for corruption, says Harish Vasudevan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Social activist and lawyer Harish Vasudevan has objected to the budget allocation of Rs 2 crore for the construction of a memorial in the name of R Balakrishna Pillai. Balakrishna Pillai's memorial is a monument for corruption. Harish also wrote on Facebook that the comrades who had spoke at the top of their voice against the Edamalayar corruption in the past may keep mum as it is difficult to justify.

Harish sarcastically said it is fortunate that Veerappan did not become a constituent party of the LDF before he died. He scoffed that Rs 2 crore would have lost from the treasury that way. Balakrishna Pillai was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Edamalayar case in 2011 after a legal battle waged by VS Achuthanandan. VS had approached the Supreme Court against the High Court verdict that acquitted Pillai. The court found him guilty and sentenced him to one year rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000.