An anti-corruption court here on Friday exempted Congress leader and former Food and Civil Supplies Minister T.H. Mustafa from personally appearing for the palmolein case trial.
Inquiry Commissioner and Special Judge A. Badurudeen allowed the plea with a rider that Mr. Mustafa’s counsel A. Abdul Kharim present evidence justifying Mr. Mustafa’s medical condition.
He also allowed the same plea in the case of former Power Energy Director Sadasivam, another accused in the case. Former Chief Secretary P. J. Thomas filed a petition praying that he be discharged from the case. The court will hear his plea on August 17.
P. A. Ahmed, who represented CPI(M) leader V.S. Achuthanandan, who had become a party in the case, has been appointed special prosecutor in the anti-corruption case.
