The Kerala police on Friday arrested a state leader of People's Democratic Party (PDP) for allegedly sending messages containing sexually coloured remarks to a woman journalist who messaged him seeking details of the ailing party chairman Abdul Nasar Madani.

Police said Nissar Methar, general secretary of PDP, was arrested today and later let off on bail.

A case was registered against him on June 29 after a TV journalist approached the police with the complaint.

"A mobile phone has been seized from him," police said.

A case under Sections 354 A (1) (4) and 354 D (1) (1) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 120 (O) of the Kerala Police Act have been registered against him.

In her complaint, the woman journalist said she had sought details of the health condition of Madani, who has been admitted to a private hospital here, but in response, the accused sent sexually coloured texts.

The woman has also submitted screenshots and other details of the messages sent by the leader.

Section 120 (O) of the K P Act deals with causing, through any means of communication, a nuisance to any person by repeated or undesirable or anonymous call, message, e-mail or through a messenger.

Meanwhile, Section 354 A (1) (4) of the IPC says, making sexually coloured remarks, shall be guilty of the offence of sexual harassment, Section 354 D (1) (1) deals with stalking.

Madani, who is a prime accused in the 2008 Bengaluru serial bomb blasts case, reached the city on June 26 after the Supreme Court allowed him to enter his home state to visit his ailing father.

However, on the way to his village in Kollam district, in an ambulance, Madani complained of uneasiness and was admitted to a private hospital in the city.

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