Madani says he will surrender before court

Kollam: Facing arrest in 2008 Bangalore blasts case, PDP leader Abdul Nasser Madani on Sunday said he would surrender before a nearest court in one of the coming days, the date for which would be announced tomorrow.

Addressing a press meet at his camp at Nwarassery near Kollam amid intense speculations and suspense, Madani said he preferred surrendering before a nearest court as he was keen to avoid law and order problems his arrest could trigger.

He also said his health condition was poor and the arrest in such a state could cause severe difficulties for him. At the same time, he said, if the poice wanted they could come and arrest him.

Appearing before the media for the first time after ban orders were imposed in and around his camp, Madani, swearing by faith, reiterated that he had no role whatsoever in the Bangalore blasts case in which he was falsely implicated by the Karnataka police.

"I did not speak either directly or over telephone with anybody (allegedly involved in the case) including T Nazeer (a key accused in the case now under custody)."

He said he was listed as an accuse under the charged that he visited Coorg in Karnataka, a place he had never seen in his life, as part of the conspiracy behind the blasts case.

The PDP leader also denied that arms had been piled in the complex where he had been camping and said anybody could examine every nook and cranny of the orphanage complex Adding to the drama and suspense, there was a flutter while the press meet was progressing with some of his followers alleging that a bag had been thrown into the compound. Madani said this could be part of the conspiracy against him and wanted the authorities and media persons to examine the bag to ascertain if it contained any arms or explosive material.

Earlier in the day, local tehsildar put up a notice in front of the complex asking the management of the orphanage to evacuate all those inside other than the regular inmates and remove stored weapons, if any.

Prohibitory orders have been in force in Mainagappally and Sasthamcotta panchayats since Saturday, warning against grouping of five or more people.

A heavy contingent of police, including personnel of Special Armed Battalion, had been deployed in the area to meet the situation arising out of Madani's arrest.

A team of Karnataka police had been camping in the district for the last six days to arrest Madani after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected last week by Karnataka High Court.