Mahdhani back in prison from hospital

By V. S. Palaniappan

COIMBATORE, JULY 28. The Kerala-based People's Democratic Party chairman, Mr. Abdul Nasser Mahdhani, an undertrial in the Coimbatore serial blasts case, was discharged from a private hospital and taken back to the Central Prison here today.

Mr. Mahdhani has been in prison for the last three years for diabetes, cardiac problem, asthma and back pain.

Initially treated in the jail hospital, he was referred to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital twice and the doctors recommended angiogram. He moved the Special Court for Blasts Cases to direct the jail superintendent to admit him to a private hospital.

The court dismissed his petition and directed the superintendent to invoke the provisions of jail manual and offer appropriate medical aid to him.

Meanwhile, following representations from the ruling United Democratic Front in Kerala, the State Home Department issued an order permitting Mr. Madhani to undergo treatment in a private hospital at his own cost. The Government also permitted his wife to attend on him in the hospital.

Mr. Mahdhani underwent angiogram and echocardiogram check in a private hospital in the last couple of days here.

Later, the former Kerala Transport Minister, Mr. Balakrishna Pillai, who headed the Kerala Congress(B), visited Mr. Mahdhani in the prison, after getting permission from the Home Department of the Tamil Nadu Government.

Talking to presspersons, he accused the previous Governments in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, led by Mr. Karunanidhi and Mr. E. K. Nayanar, of not having shown any humanitarian consideration to Mr. Mahdhani.

Thanking the Tamil Nadu Government for having allowed Mr. Mahdhani to undergo treatment in a private hospital, Mr. Pillai urged it to take steps for granting bail to him.

A few misguided youths accused of carrying out the blasts have regretted their mistakes and sought rehabilitation, Mr. Pillai said, adding that he would meet the Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa, shortly.

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Section  : Southern States
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