Entire case politically motivated: Madani

PDP leader Abdul Nasser Madani, an accused in the 2008 Bangalore blasts case, on Monday submitted in a Bangalore court that the entire case against him was "based on suspicion and politically motivated".

Madani's counsel P Usman contended that there was no prima facie case against his client when the PDP leader's bail plea came up for hearing before the Fifth Fast Track Court.

"Even when the investigation is on, the home minister making a statement about Madani's involvement in Chinnaswamy Stadium explosions vindicates that he is being targeted politically," he stated.

Two low intensity blasts ahead of IPL match in Bangalore had left 15 persons injured on April 17 this year.

 Usman described the case as a "repetition of Coimbatore saga (serial blasts) where Madani spent over nine years in jail but was later acquitted."

The February 1998 Coimbatore blasts had claimed 58 lives and injured over 200 people ahead of an election meeting to be addressed by senior BJP leader L K Advani.

 The counsel submitted that even one and a-half-years after the Bangalore blasts took place in July 2008, "there was no allegation against Madani.

The arrest of first accused T Nazir on December 3, 2009 and subsequent recording of his confessional statement became "the basis of the case", he said.

Two months later Madani "suddenly transformed from a witness to an accused and his name first appeared in the chargesheet on April 12, 2010", he noted.

Usman submitted that Madani had already surrendered his passport to the Kerala police and "was ready to abide any reasonable conditions, if granted bail".

 The hearing of the bail plea of Madani, who is under judicial custody, was adjourned till tomorrow.