By IANS,
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Monday directed the Karnataka government to shift Kerala’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and terrorism-accused Abdul Nazir Maudany to a private Bangalore hospital for treatment of his multiple ailments.
Maudany was arrested Aug 17, 2010, in connection with the conspiracy behind the Bangalore bomb blast. He is currently in jail and has asked that he be allowed treatment at the private Manipal Hospital in the Karnataka capital.
However, the apex court bench of Justice H.L. Gokhale and Justice J. Chelameswar said that admission and treatment of Maudany in Manipal Hospital would be subject to hospital authorities agreeing to it.
“We direct Karnataka government to shift him to Manipal Hospital in Bangalore, subject to the hospital agreeing to take him as a patient for treatment. He will be kept in a separate room, under protection.”
The court said that in case Manipal Hospital does not agree to admit Maudany, he could be treated at the government’s Victoria Hospital.
The court said that treatment of Maudany at Manipal Hospital would be at the expense of the government.
As Karnataka government counsel Anitha Shenoy objected to Maudany’s plea for treatment in Manipal Hospital, Justice Gokhale said: “Let him be treated in a hospital of his choice and confidence. Let there be no criticism of the government.”
Observing that the improvement in the health of Maudany was of “prime importance”, the court said: “We are of the view that the petitioner be treated at the hospital of his choice.”
Having allowed Maudany to be treated at Manipal Hospital, the court said that his close relatives will be allowed to visit him in hospital.
The court said that after Maudany has recovered, he would be taken to Agrawal Eye Hospital in Bangalore for an eye operation.
Adjourning the matter sine die, the court said other relief sought by Maudany, including bail, will be taken up after he recovers fully, and it is brought to the notice of the court by him.
Earlier, appearing for Maudany, counsel Prashant Bhushan told the court that Maudany had already been in jail for nine-and-a-half years in the Coimbatore blasts case on false charges.
He said that even in this case, he is in jail for the last two years on the charge of conspiracy.
The only evidence against him is a statement by a person who says he had seen a bearded man with a cap going into the meeting.
Bhushan told the court that one of Maudany’s legs was amputated and he suffered from multiple ailments and fluctuating diabetes. He had poor vision, and was suffering from an eye ailment. He said that doctors have advised him complete bed rest, so his diabetes could be controlled and his eye operated upon as soon as possible.
In the course of the hearing, the counsel for the Kerala government said that in case Maudany was released on bail, the state government would provide him security and also keep him under surveillance.