Bangalore blasts accused Abdul Nasser Madani shifted to private hospital

Bangalore: Complying with the Supreme Court directive, Karnataka government on Tuesday shifted jailed Kerala-based PDP leader Abdul Nasser Madani, a key accused in the 2008 Bangalore serial blasts case, to a private hospital here for treatment.

The apex court on November 18 directed the Karnataka government to shift Madani to Manipal Hospital, subject to the hospital agreeing to take him as a patient for treatment.

Ever since his arrest in August 2010 in connection with the Bangalore bomb blast case, the People's Democratic Party leader has repeatedly knocked at the doors of the court for either bail or hospitalisation citing his multiple ailments, with several Kerala leaders also making a plea for him.

"Madani was admitted to the hospital by Karnataka government on Tuesday, around 11.30 AM for medical evaluation," Manipal Hospital Medical Director & Chairman, Medical Advisory Board, Dr H Sudarshan Ballal told reporters.

He said Madani was suffering from diabetes and many other associated problems and a panel of experts would examine him.

"Based on the evaluation, we will be treating him. He is currently stable. His security is taken care of by the Government of Karnataka," he added.

Madani is among the 31 persons chargesheeted for the 2008 Bangalore blasts, which killed one person and injured 20 others, on charges of conspiracy and sheltering some of the key accused.

He was also named in the 1998 Coimbatore bombings ahead of BJP veteran L K Advani's meeting that killed 58 persons and over 200 injured but was acquitted by the court.