Police interrogation of People's Democratic Party leader Abdul Nasir Maudany has revealed his role in the April 17, 2010 twin explosions near the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in the city ahead of an IPL cricket match, Karnataka Home Minister V.S. Acharya said on Tuesday. He was replying to a query at a press conference here.
Dr. Acharya said Mr. Maudany's links with the other main accused in the 2008 Bangalore serial bomb blasts case were also established during interrogation.
Seventeen persons, including nine police personnel, were injured when two low-intensity IEDs went off outside the stadium ahead of a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians. Following the blasts, two semi-final matches were shifted to Mumbai.
On the investigation into the 2008 blasts, Dr. Acharya said, “We are confident that we will get the full information on the conspiracy.” He indicated that the police would seek extension of police custody for Mr. Maudany, who was arrested in this case by a Karnataka police team in Kerala on August 17. He was remanded to police custody by a Bangalore magistrate till August 26. “Ten days are not sufficient to collect all information from the accused,” the Minister said.
Last week, Mr. Maudany was taken to Kodagu, to explore his alleged links there.
Hinting that the probe was yet to be completed, Dr. Acharya said, “The PDP chairman is on fast during day on account of Ramzan and interrogation is [held] in between.” Declining to give details, the Minister said his department would not interfere with criminal investigation and it was not proper for him to make comments when the probe was in progress.
A police team was carrying out the investigation independently, he said.
Dr. Acharya said he had spoken to his Kerala counterpart for help in arresting Mr. Maudany and the Kerala government responded positively.
