Madani's arrest still eludes Bangalore police

The suspect in the blast case buying time to try his luck in Supreme Court

Joint Commissioner (Crime) Alok Kumar told Deccan Herald: "Our team has stayed put in Kerala and it is only a matter of time. We are on the job and are waiting to complete the formalities."

According to sources, Madani is playing games and is finding ways to buy time before he tries his luck at the Supreme Court. He has already contacted Ram Jethmalani and a few other senior counsels. However, it is not clear as to who would fight his case.

Testing time

Madani would at least require a fortnight to be ready with the paper work, in case all goes well, to serve notice on the Karnataka police.

Thus, it seems a testing time not only for Madani but also for many officers from different quarters and politicians who are doing their best to prolong the arrest.

However, the Karnataka police have an upper hand, as the pressure is mounting on the Kerala police.

Relevant papers have been served on both the Kollam Superintendent of Police and senior officers concerned in Ernakulam, seeking their cooperation.

 It is up to the neighbouring state officials to take a call, said another officer. Dozens of mediapersons, especially from the electronic media from Kerala, thronged the City police commissioner's office on Wednesday for news bytes. All their hopes were dashed when they were told, 'our officers are in your state and you are here’.

When asked if the Kerala police were non-cooperative with the State police, the officer in charge smartly replied saying, 'Our team is in constant touch with your (Kerala) police'.