Al-Qaida suspect prefers yoga to freedom

An Indian man who told police he was a member of the al-Qaida terror network was granted bail today, but chose to stay in a Bombay jail to finish a free yoga course available to inmates.

Mohammed Afroz reportedly told police he was part of a plan by the terror group to hijack a plane and crash it into the British Parliament. He also reportedly said he was planning to attack buildings in Australia and New Delhi.

A court in Bombay, capital of the western state of Maharashtra, granted bail to Afroz, 25, after police failed to formally bring charges before the judge within the stipulated period of 90 days, said special public prosecutor Ujwal Nikam.

But Afroz passed up the chance for bail. He told the judge that he preferred to complete the popular yoga course in jail for free rather than have to pay for it outside.

Special Judge AP Bhangale gave police until the next hearing on April 9 to file a document listing the charges against Afroz and reports of investigations made abroad into his case.