Mediation talks held by court fail; dispute between Balakrishna Pillai's children continues

KOLLAM: The Kottarakkara Legal Services Authority could not resolve the dispute among the children of former minister and Kerala Congress (B) chairman R Balakrishna Pillai over the allotment of Pillai's property. Although the authority had summoned KB Ganesh Kumar and his sisters yesterday, the mediation talks failed. The authority held the discussion as per the instructions of the Kottarakkara sub court. The details of the discussion will be communicated to the court.

The discussion was mediated by lawyer Satish Chandran in a case filed by Pillai's eldest daughter Usha Mohandas seeking one-third of the assets in the name of Balakrishna Pillai. Usha also demanded that she wanted most of the properties in Valakam and Kottarakkara.

However, Ganesh Kumar said that only the assets mentioned in the will could be given to Usha. Usha told the court that the will was forged and should be cancelled. Usha reiterated in the meeting that the court should decide and settle the issue. Bindu Balakrishnan, the youngest daughter, said that the will was prepared by Pillai himself.