Madani writes to President for 'honest' probe

Kerala-based People’s Democratic Party leader Abdul Nasser Madani, arrested in connection with the 2008 Bangalore serial bomb blasts, has petitioned President Pranab Mukherjee for an investigation by a team of 'honest officers' into charges against him and clear his name if found innocent.

In a letter to the President, a copy of which was released to the media in Thiruvananthapuram, Madani said he could be hanged if investigation revealed that he had direct or indirect links with extremist outfits within or outside the country.

Madani is lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bangalore since his arrest in August, 2010 for his alleged role in the July 2008 blasts that left one person dead and 20 others injured.

The People's Democratic Party leader said during his early days of his lecture tours, there were flaws in his speech for which he had sought an apology from Kerala society.

Madani claimed that majority of people in Kerala were now convinced about his "anti-terrorist positions" from his speeches and activities, he said.

During his visit to Kerala on a five-day parole to attend his daughter's wedding in March, Madani said he was innocent and being branded a terrorist.

Soon after the Congress swept to power in Karnataka in the May 5 assembly polls, the party unit in Kerala had hinted it would press the government in the neighbouring state to speed up trial against Madani.

Image: Abdul Nasser Madani

Photograph: Rediff archives