Hyderabad: "He has let down everyone, but he is not a criminal," that's how the public here seem to be backing Satyam's former chairman B Ramalinga Raju.

Telugu news channels are flooded with such SMSs backing Raju.

Raju received an overwhelming public support through an SMS survey conducted by different Telugu news channels yesterday which asked viewers if Raju is guilty and whether he should be arrested.

The question received an instant reply NO through SMSs on an average by 90 per cent of the respondents.

Many of the SMSs said Raju was not a criminal and that he was brave enough to admit to the wrongdoings worth thousands of crores of rupees.

Another SMS read, "Politicians..., We don't vote for you. We love Raju."

Raju on Wednesday admitted of fraud to the Board of Directors of Satyam Computer Services and owned up that Satyam's accounts were fudged to the tune of Rs 7,000 crore.

After quitting as Satyam's chairman Raju said, "I am now prepared to subject myself to the laws of land and face consequences thereof." He eventually surrendered before Andhra Pradesh police last night.

Source : PTI