The Supreme Court on Thursday directed former Telecom minister Sukh Ram to surrender in connection with a 1993 graft case. However, the minister failed to comply citing ill health.
However, co-accused in the case, former bureaucrat Runu Ghosh and Hyderabad-based businessman Rama Rao surrendered before a Delhi court, following which the duo were sent to jail.
While Ghosh will serve a two-year term, Rao will serve a three-year sentence.
Counsel of the 86-year-old former minister said his client was admitted to hospital with heart ailments, hence could not surrender.
The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the three accused to surrender before a special CBI judge. Only then would their appeal against the December 21 Delhi High Court verdict upholding their sentence would be heard, the apex court had said.
Published 05 January 2012, 09:11 IST