SC bench split over bail to Madani, refers plea to CJI

New Delhi, May 4: A Supreme Court bench on Wednesday, May 4 referred to Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia the bail plea of 2008 Bangalore blast accused Abdul Naseer Madani following differences between two judges on grant of bail to him.

The bench of justices Markandey Katju and Gyan Sudha Misra said it was referring the matter to the Chief Justice of India for constituting another bench in view of differences between judges on the issue.

While Justice Katju appears to be in favour of granting bail to Madani, Justice Misra was strongly opposed to it in view of the serious allegations against the accused that impinges upon national security.

Madani is presently lodged in a Karnataka jail under judicial custody for his alleged involvement in the Bangalore serial bomb blast and similar incidents in Ahmedabad, Surat and Jaipur.

He was recently acquitted in the Coimbatore serial blast case, in which several persons had died.

PTI