High drama on court premises

KOCHI: High drama unfolded at the Idamalayar Special Court in Kochi on Friday. Hundreds of party activists and locals were seen thronging the court building and compound right from early morning.

A large contingent of police force, including the Quick Response Team (QRT) of the city police, was deployed at the court complex. Posters and flex boards were prominently displayed supporting R Balakrishna Pillai. A bunch of cameramen and TV channels had been camping on the court premises since 10 a.m. Curious passersby were seen entering the compound to know what these hullabulloo was all about.

Exactly at 10.30 a.m., Pillai arrived at the Idamalayar Special Court from a relative's house here, along with son and newlyappointed chairman of Kerala Congress (B) K B Ganesh Kumar MLA and soninlaw T Balakrishnan, Principal Secretary, Industries Department. Though the police tried to control the crowd, the party activists surrounded the vehicle as if in a protective cover. Party activists were seen raising slogans in support of Pillai.

Cameras went on clicking while the TV crew struggled to capture the crowd and Pillai. Some journalists managed to reach up to Pillai and asked about the review petition to be submitted before the Supreme Court. "I trust the judiciary," Pillai said. Soon he entered the court room on the third floor of the court complex. By 11.20 a.m. it was heard that the court had adjourned and the case would be considered at 12 noon.

In the meantime, some party workers suddenly formed a procession and started shouting slogans. Soon, Ganesh Kumar came out and asked them to be quiet. Then it was time for debates and discussions. Mediamen, party workers and even police officials began chatting on Pillai's requests before the court, including those about his health conditions.

By 12.50 p.m the visual media journalists started giving voiceover and live telecast that the court had ordered to send Pillai to the Poojappura central jail. Then there was a flood of cameras and mediamen at the close chamber in front of the special court.

By 1.30 p.m pillai came out. Amidst heavy police cover, Pillai entered the police vehicle.