Will surrender before a court soon, says Madani

Facing arrest in the 2008, Bengaluru serial blasts case, PDP leader Abdul Nasser Madani said he would surrender before the nearest court "in the coming days", the date for which would be announced on Monday.

Addressing a press meet at his camp at Anwarassery near Kollam amid intense speculation and suspense over his arrest, Madani said he "preferred surrendering before the nearest court in the coming days" as he was keen to avoid law and order problems that his arrest could trigger. Madani also said his health condition was poor and that his arrest in such a state could cause severe difficulties to him. At the same time, he said, if police wanted, they could come and arrest him.

Appearing before the media for the first time after prohibitory orders were imposed in and around his camp, Madani, swearing by his faith, reiterated he had no role whatsoever in the Bangalore blasts claiming he was "falsely implicated" by Karnataka police. One person was killed and 20 others injured in the July25 explosion. "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 said he was listed as an accused under the charge that he visited Coorg in Karnataka, a place he had never seen in his life, as part of the conspiracy behind the blasts. The PDP leader also denied that arms had been piled up in the complex where he had been camping and said anybody could examine every nook and cranny. Adding to the drama and suspense, there was a flutter while the press meet was on with some of his followers claiming that a bag had been thrown into the compound. Madani said this could be part of the conspiracy against him and wanted authorities and mediapersons to examine it to ascertain if it contained any arms or explosive material.

Earlier in the day, the 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. The police also put up a notice asking Madani to cooperate with the government instruction. 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 the HighCourt there.