I will surrender before a court: Maudany

ANWARASSERY - Ahead of his impending arrest in connection with the 2008 Bangalore serial bombings, Abdul Nazir Maudany, the firebrand chief of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said Sunday he will soon surrender before a court.

Addressing a crowded press conference, Maudany said he was innocent and had no role in the bombings.

“I am a devout Muslim and holding this Quran, I say that I have no role, either overtly or covertly, in that incident. I am being framed in this case. I do not have even .001 percent involvement in the case,” said Maudany.

As the press conference was progressing a commotion broke out when it was said that a policeman had jumped the compound wall and placed a bag.

Maudany also slammed the police action of pasting a notice in front of the compound saying that inside there is a huge stock arms and knives.

“I invite all the media persons to go around my place here. Except for knives in the kitchen to cut fish, there are no other arms,” Maudany said.

He said that the only orphans live there and no one else.

“I will in the coming few days surrender before a court near this place. And let the court then decide where I should be taken. In the past few days, I have not been keeping well. If the (Karnataka) police feel that they will not go back without arresting me, they are free to do so. But then it could lead to unpleasant situations,” said Maudany.

A strong police force is camping outside the PDP headquarters here in Kollam district where the district collector has clamped Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code (which bars the gathering of five or more people) in two villages in and around the place.

Around 300 people, including women and children are inside the headquarters. Party supporters flocked to the area Saturday following speculation that Maudany would be arrested, leading to tension. However, the crowd was dispersed. Maudany is the 31st accused in the Bangalore bombings.

“There is a conspiracy being hatched and I know soon I will be framed in other cases also. I am not a fool and I am not going to simply go with the police to Karnataka because I know that then I will not reach Karnataka. I will be shot dead under the guise that I tried to escape,” said Maudany.

Emotional scenes were seen after the press conference. Maudany spoke to his supporters and several of them coming out of the hall were seen crying.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Sunday told a group of Muslim leaders that his government has nothing to do with the impending arrest of Maudany.

“Let Maudany get arrested. He should come before the law,” Achuthanandan told around a dozen leaders from four Muslim groups who met him Sunday morning.

He said that the Karnataka Police were the ones handling the case. One person was killed and 15 injured in the serial bombings.

Besides the Muslim leaders, former minister and now chief of the state unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Neelohithadasan Nadar was among the group that met the chief minister.

The leaders wanted Achuthanandan to intervene and alleged it was a politically motivated case. They also said since the holy month of Ramzan had begun and Maudany was a devout Muslim he should be treated in a “proper manner”.