The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Maudany's bail plea rejected

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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Maudany's bail plea rejected

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Friday rejected a bail petition of People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Abdul Nasir Maudany, who is one of the accused in the July 2008 serial blasts in Bangalore in which a woman was killed and several injured.

Justice V. Jagannathan rejected the bail petition, saying that granting bail to Maudany “would put the security of the nation in jeopardy.”

He said the prosecution had placed materials before the court showing that Maudany was in touch with some of the accused before and after the blasts. The State, he said, had also provided material to the court about the shelter given by Maudany at his home in Kerala to some of those who were involved in the blasts.

The court upheld the contention of the Advocate-General Ashok Haranahalli, who appeared for the State, that releasing Maudany would pose a security threat. Senior counsel B.V. Acharya, appearing for Maudany, said there was no direct evidence to link his client with the blasts. He said that Maudany did not initially figure in the FIR. His name was only added subsequently.

The court, however, observed that, “there is seldom direct evidence in such cases.” It said, conspiracy is generally hatched in complete secrecy as otherwise the whole purpose will be frustrated.” It said inference could be drawn from whatever evidence had been placed and collected and it was “sufficient to point out the conspiracy.”

When it was pointed out that Maudany was ailing, the court directed the jail authorities in Bangalore where he is now housed to take steps to ensure that his health condition did not deteriorate and that he be provided all medical help.

Earlier, the Advocate-General placed before the court details of Maudany's telephone records. The court took note of these records and said they pointed to a prima facie case against Maudany.

It said though personal liberty was very important, the interest of the State also could not be lost sight of. If a case that involved the security of the State and the nation, bail was generally refused. This, it said, was one such case where the “interest of the nation can never be given up.”

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