Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 6 (IANS) The Kerala government Thursday issued an order extending the jail term of former minister R. Balakrishna Pillai by four days for using a mobile phone while in jail.


Pillai, a leader of the ruling Congress-led UDF constituent Kerala Congress-B, was convicted by the Supreme Court in a corruption case this February and sentenced to one year imprisonment.

On Thursday, Leader of Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan led a team of the Left Democratic Front and met Kerala Governor M.O.H. Farook and demanded a judicial probe into how Pillai was running affairs of the government through his mobile phone even though he was in jail.

The conversation took place after a teacher in a school owned by Pillai was attacked by unknown people last week.

The TV channel reporter spoke to Pillai for his reaction after Achuthanandan accused him of unleashing the brutal attack.

Pillai, who is currently convalescing in a private hospital here, was Tuesday questioned by police to find out if he had any role in the attack and also if he had used a mobile phone.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the opposition appeared to be seeing the phone call made by Pillai as the biggest issue facing Kerala.

Pillai's jail term was supposed to end Jan 2; he will now be free only on Jan 6.