The CPI (M) State secretariat said here on Sunday that the government was challenging the rule of law by granting benefits amounting to freedom to former Minister Balakrishna Pillai who had been sentenced to undergo imprisonment by the Supreme Court.
The Secretariat noted that this was being done in the name of parole and medical treatment. None accused of corruption had been given remission of sentence in the State. However, none would oppose extending him expert medical treatment. But, the medical team treating him had not made an credible statement that he was facing a rare disease. So, the treatment in a private hospital could only be viewed as strategy to neutralise the sentence.
The Secretariat added that the government had the responsibility to execute the sentence handed down by the courts. It was not becoming of it to resort to illegal measures in the name of parole and treatment.
