Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 31 (IANS): Jailed former minister R. Balakrishna Pillai and 137 other inmates will be released Tuesday, while the jail terms of 2,500 prisoners will be reduced as part of an amnesty scheme of the Kerala government.
The amnesty is being given on the occassion of Kerala Day Nov 1, the government announced Monday.
The 76-year-old ruling coalition leader was handed a one-year jail term in February this year by the Supreme Court after being convicted in a corruption case.
However, the government's order was criticised by the opposition.
"The government is challenging the rule of the law and this does not augur well," Leader of Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan said.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front's convenor P.P. Thankachen said there has been no breach of law in granting amnesty to prisoners.