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.