Mahdhani to get ayurvedic treatment in prison

The Tamil Nadu government has directed the state prisons department to provide ayurvedic treatment to Kerala-based PDP leader and a key accused in the 1998 serial blasts Abdul Nasser Mahdhani in the central prison here.

Mahdhani, lodged in the prison after his arrest in March 1998, 45 days after the serial blasts, which claimed 52 lives, is said to be suffering from blood pressure, diabetes, spinal proble and weight loss. He also uses an artifical limb, having lost his right leg in a blast in Kerala.

Though Mahdhani has pleaded for parole or bail to undergo treatment in any private hospital in Coimbatore or Kerala, the Tamil Nadu government had issued a 'Movement Restriction Order', citing the need for him to be present for speedy trial in the serial blast case at the special court here.

With various organisations and political parties in Kerala and even the Kerala Assembly passing a resolution, seeking bail and good medical care for Mahdhani on humanitarian grounds, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan met his Tamil Nadu counterpart M Karunanidhi recently and discussed the issue.

After sending medical teams to examine Madhani and holding discussions with those concerned, the Tamil Nadu government has directed the prison authorities to arrange ayurvedic treatment in the prison itself, jail sources said.

A special team from a leading ayurvedic hospital in the city was likely to start the treatment to Mahdhani in a couple of days, the sources added.

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