On July 17, the Supreme Court of India granted relaxation of bail to Kerala People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairman Abdul Nazir Maudany, prime accused in the 2008 Bangalore Serial Bomb Blasts Case, permitting him to stay in his hometown in Kerala. The Karnataka government opposed Maudany’s application for relaxation of the bail conditions.
Earlier, the accused was to stay in Bangalore till the trial was over, as per the Supreme Court’s bail condition imposed vide order dated July 11, 2014. The court’s Division Bench, comprising Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh, relaxed the bail conditions imposed on the serial blasts accused due to his medical condition, allowing the accused to reside in his hometown in Kollam, Kerala. However, the court directed him to report to the nearest police station in Kollam every 15 days.
“At this stage, it is brought to our notice that the examination of witnesses has been completed and the matter is being argued before the court concerned, but arguments could proceed for sometime. Keeping in view the fact that at present, the presence of applicant would not be required on a hearing date, we deem it appropriate to grant the modification sought for. Hence, in modification of the order dated 11.07.2014, we permit the applicant to travel to his hometown in Kerala and reside there,” the court said.
“However, to ensure that the applicant is adhering to all other requirements, we direct that the appellant will report to the Station House Officer of the nearest police station in Kollam district, once in 15 days. However, if the applicant is to attend to his medical needs and is to be away from Kollam district, he shall report to the Kollam police and go to such place as he desires. If any details are required, the jurisdictional court in Bangalore is permitted to seek for such details from the police station in Kollam district. With the said modification and subject to the applicant adhering to all other conditions, the application is disposed,” the court added.
Notably, the PDP chairman is the prime accused in the 2008 Bangalore Serial Blasts Case and the 1998 Coimbatore Blast Case, which claimed 58 lives and left more than 200 people severely injured. Maudany was acquitted in the Coimbatore Blast Case in 2007.
Earlier, the Supreme Court granted an interim relaxation to his bail conditions on April 18, allowing him to stay in his hometown in Kollam, Kerala, till July 8. It was reported that the accused received a heroic welcome from the Muslim community in Kerala in the presence of police personnel when he reached Kochi.
The court’s Division Bench, comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi and Bela Trivedi, said that the interim relaxation was granted in view of Maudany’s medical condition. “As an interim measure, the applicant can visit Kerala for a period up to July 8, accompanied by Karnataka police escort and return in the same manner,” the court said. The court further clarified that Maudany would be required to meet the expenses incurred for the escort by Karnataka police.
Maudany was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, along with 31 others for his involvement in the 2008 Bangalore Serial Bomb Blasts Case. Notably, one person was killed and 20 others sustained injuries when a series of nine crude bombs were detonated near the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on July 25, 2008. Following the incident, Maudany was taken into custody as he was accused of being the mastermind behind the explosions.
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