By Twocircles.net Staff Reporter
Thiruvananthapuram: Amidst protests against Karnataka government over slapping police escort expenses on jailed PDP leader Abdul Nasser Madani for his travel to Kerala to attend his son’s wedding, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has stepped in saying the state government is ready to facilitate Madani’s Kerala visit and provide him with all the required security. Bengaluru city police have slapped a bill of Rs. 14.79 lakh on Madani after Supreme Court granted him bail to attend the wedding function on condition that he foot the bill for his security expenses. An undertrial in Bengaluru blast case, Madani is currently logged in the Bengaluru jail.
A Facebook post by Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday night alleged the huge bill amount was slapped in order to obstruct Madani’s trip to Kerala. “NIA court had previously granted him permission to visit his old parents and Supreme Court has permitted him to attend his son’s wedding. But Karnataka police’s action is only meant to deny him,” the post said.
Vijayan said he doubts the move is aimed at obstructing his Kerala visit and added that the government was all set to provide any kind of security.
The Chief Minister has also sent a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking steps to reduce the bill. “The Karnataka police will not have to bear additional expenses when the state takes up escort duty. Hence the amount should be reduced,” the letter said.
Madani formed the PDP in 1992 after the demolition of Babri Masjid in an attempt to challenge the Hindutva onslaught and marginalised communities like Muslims and Dalits in the state together. Madani was first arrested on April 8, 2000, in connection with the 1998 Coimbatore bombings which had killed 60 people. Madani was imprisoned for eight years but was released in August 2007 after the court acquitted him of all charges. However, he was once again arrested in connection with 2008 Bangalore blasts and has been in jail since.