SC notice to TN on Madhani bail plea

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 26. The Supreme Court today ordered issuance of notice to the Tamil Nadu Government on the bail plea of the key accused in the Coimbatore serial blasts case, Abdul Nazir Madhani, founder- chairman of the Peoples Democratic party in Kerala.

A bench, comprising Mr. Justice Mr. K.T. Thomas and Mr. Justice R.P. Sethi, ordered the notice returnable in two weeks.

It also directed the Registrar, Madras High Court, to file a report, stating why there was a delay in framing of charges against the applicant; why the special court judge was transferred and if so, any other Judge had been appointed and what was the position of the case as the applicant was concerned.

Madhani has moved the apex court after his bail application was rejected by a special court in Coimbatore.

In his petition, Madhani said he was arrested on March 31, 1998 and since then he was in custody awaiting trial. He was chargesheeted in September 1998 and the final report was submitted in May 1999. He was kept in jail for three years after the investigation was completed. This was in violation of the rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. He prayed for setting aside the special court's order dated September 4, 2000 and releasing him on bail.

The case of the prosecution was that Madhani was involved in the blasts that rocked Coimbatore on February 14, 1998, killing 47 persons and injuring 218 others, besides causing damage to property.

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Section  : National
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