PDP leader Madani reaches Kollam; thanks SC, Kerala govt for support [Video]

PDP leader and Bengaluru serial blasts accused Abdul Nasser Madani arrived at his home town in Kollam on Sunday to visit his ailing mother and attend his son's marriage. 

Madani (51), an accused in the 2008 serial blasts case, was accompanied by a team of police officials from Karnataka. He has been permitted by the NIA court to visit his parents in Anwarserry, Kollam. 

The Supreme Court also permitted him to attend the wedding of his son at Thalassery in Kannur on August 9. The reception is scheduled for August 12 in Kollam. Madani will return to Bengaluru on August 19.

Hundreds of Madani's supporters had gathered at Kochi International airport, where security was tight, to greet the PDP leader. On his arrival, Madani said he was grateful to the Supreme Court, the Kerala government and human rights activists, who had stood by him during his fight for justice. 

While granting Madani the permission to visit Kerala to attend his son's wedding, the apex court had on July 31 asked him to bear the expenses incurred on his escort provided by the Karnataka police. 

The PDP leader's visit had run into trouble after the Karnataka police sought Rs 14.79 lakh towards security expenses during his visit to Kerala. The SC had criticised Karnataka for demanding Rs 14.8 lakh to escort Madani, and the state government later reduced the amount to Rs 1.18 lakh. 

Madani had visited Kerala on three previous occasions between 2013 and 2016. During the first two visits, no amount was insisted on and in the third visit, Rs 50,000 was required to be paid.
 

• Abdul Nasser Madani
• Kerala government
• Supreme Court
• Bengaluru serial blasts