KOLLAM: PDP chairman Abdul Nasser Madani’s departure from Bengaluru to Kochi was delayed for at least seven hours after Indigo airlines refused to fly him without civil aviation clearance as he is an accused and accompanied by police. Following protests by PDP activists at the airline’s office in Kochi, he was later allowed to travel in another flight operated by the same airlines at 7.30 pm.
He reached Kochi at around 9.30 pm. Madani, an under-trial prisoner in Bengaluru, was allowed eight days' time by the court to visit his ailing mother at Anvarssery near Sasthamkotta here. Madani is facing custodial trial for the 2008 Bengaluru serial blasts case.
A glass pane of the airline’s office in Kochi was broken allegedly by PDP activists. The airline had prevented Madani from entering the aircraft after issuing a boarding pass. He was later permitted to fly after it was clarified that no clearance was required for an accused if he was on bail.
From Bengaluru, Madani was accompanied by ACP Santhakumar, Madani's wife Soofiya Madani and PDP state secretary Muhammad Rajeeb, along with others. A posse of policemen from Bengaluru reached Nedumbassery airport by road. Madani will reach Anvarssery near Sasthamkotta and meet his parents at ‘Thottuval house’ at Mynagappally. He will return by July 11 when his bail ends.
