Persecution – free them all

Who Is a ‘Political Prisoner’? Rona Wilson Says Caste and Religion Are Key to the Answer

17/02/2025 Asha

The Wire / by Sukanya Shantha

Having spent six and a half years in jail, the Elgar Parishad accused also said that prisons in India are in a ‘state of emergency’.
Rona Wilson has long been an advocate for prisoners’ rights and a staunch proponent of the term “political prisoner”. However, during his prolonged incarceration in the Elgar Parishad case, Rona found himself grappling with a “moral quandary”.
With new firsthand experiences, observations from his six-and-a-half-year stay in two central prisons in Maharashtra – Yerwada in Pune and Taloja in Navi Mumbai – his activism while incarcerated, and research conducted within the confines of prison, 53-year-old Rona now views the term from a different perspective. He now approaches the subject with a deliberate focus on caste and religious dimensions.
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Also read:
▪ Many Prisoners at Taloja Jail Not Produced Before Court For Years, Reveals Survey by Surendra Gadling and Sagar Gorkhe (The Wire / Feb 2025)
▪ Punished without trial: How India’s political prisoners are being denied basic rights in jail (Scroll.in / Aug 2022)

▪ From Phansi Yard: My Year with the Women of Yerawada
Author: Sudha Bhardwaj
Publishing Date: Oct 2023
Publisher: Juggernaut
Pages: 216
Read more / order

▪ How Long Can the Moon Be Caged? Voices of Indian Political Prisoners
Authors: Suchitra Vijayan and Francesca Recchia
Publishing Date: Aug 2023
Publisher: Pluto Press
Pages: 247
Read more / order

Many Prisoners at Taloja Jail Not Produced Before Court For Years, Reveals Survey by Surendra Gadling and Sagar Gorkhe

12/02/2025 Asha

Many Prisoners at Taloja Jail Not Produced Before Court For Years, Reveals Survey by Jailed Activists

10/02/2025

The Wire / by Sukanya Shantha

Both Gadling and Gorkhe have moved the Bombay high court seeking direction to ensure regular court visits for those in judicial custody.
… Human rights activist Surendra Gadling and cultural activist Sagar Gorkhe, with the help of others arrested in the Elgar Parishad case have identified at least 300 such cases where incarcerated persons lodged at the Taloja central prison have not been produced before the court for years at end.
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2 Elgar accused move HC, seek regular production of undertrials in courts

12/02/2025

Hindustan Times / by Revu Suresh

The petition provided details of 305 undertrial prisoners lodged in Taloja jail who were not being produced before the trial courts on due dates
Advocate Surendra Gadling and Kabir Kala Manch activist Sagar Gorkhe, arrested in connection with the Ekgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon conspiracy case and lodged in Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai, have moved the Bombay high court, seeking directions to ensure the regular production of undertrial prisoners in the jail in respective trial courts.
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Two Elgar Parishad Accused Approach Bombay High Court to Ensure Regular Court Appearances for Undertrials

12/02/2025

Law Trend / by Law Trend

In a significant move, Advocate Surendra Gadling and Kabir Kala Manch activist Sagar Gorkhe, both accused in the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon conspiracy case and currently incarcerated in Taloja jail, Navi Mumbai, have approached the Bombay High Court. They are seeking judicial directives to ensure that undertrial prisoners in the jail are regularly produced in their respective trial courts.
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Also read:
▪ With Guards Unavailable Due to Coldplay Concert, Elgar Parishad Undertrials Mull Hunger Strike (The Wire / Jan 2025)
▪ Elgar Parishad Prisoners’ Hunger Strike Marks a Momentous Victory for Prison Rights (The Wire / Nov 2024)

BK-16 PRISON DIARIES: Sagar Gorkhe on his battle to survive Taloja jail’s brutality

11/02/2025 Asha

To mark six years of the arbitrary arrests and imprisonment of political dissidents in the Bhima Koregaon case, The Polis Project is publishing a series of writings by the BK-16, and their families, friends and partners. By describing various aspects of the past six years, the series offers a glimpse into the BK-16’s lives inside prison, as well as the struggles of their loved ones outside. Each piece in the series is complemented by Arun Ferreira’s striking and evocative artwork.

Drawing by Arun Ferreira / The Polis Project

Sagar Gorkhe on his battle to survive Taloja jail’s brutality

11/02/2025

The Polis Project / by Sagar Gorke

Address: Taloja Central Prison, Navi Mumbai; Circle Number 2, Barrack Number 4. It’s seven in the evening. The smell of the rancid wet garbage scattered carelessly in the corner of the barrack is troubling me to no end. Over it lies a layer of half-eaten leftovers, bidi butts and green gobs coughed up and spat out by tobacco chewers. Looking at it, I feel like vomiting. The flies buzz around, sit on those spit gobs and, as if on purpose, zero in on me. “Hey, go … go … shoo … go away.” However much I yell to drive them away, they just don’t seem to listen at all. I don’t know what to do.
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Court summons Taloja jail superintendent to explain why cot is not provided to accused Surendra Gadling

11/02/2025 Asha

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

The authorities said that getting a cot is difficult in the general barracks due to crowding, but mattress and pillows are purchasable from the jail canteen at one’s own expenses. They added that Surendra Gadling can be transferred to a high security prison to avail cots.
A special court designated under NIA Act has asked Taloja Central Prison superintendent to remain present before it to explain why the facility of cot cannot be provided to Elgaar Parishad accused Surendra Gadling, who had sought the same citing his physical condition and ailments.
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Also read:
▪ Many Prisoners at Taloja Jail Not Produced Before Court For Years, Reveals Survey by Jailed Activists (The Wire / Feb 2025)
▪ SC adjourns bail pleas of Surendra Gadling, Jyoti Jagtap in Bhima Koregaon case (Scroll.in / Feb 2025)
▪ Better take complete bed rest if you are suffering: NIA court rejects Surendra Gadling’s plea for walks outside prison (Hindustan Times / Jan 2025)
▪ Elgar Parishad Prisoners’ Hunger Strike Marks a Momentous Victory for Prison Rights (The Wire / Nov 2024)
▪ Elgar Parishad case accused seeks contempt action against Navi Mumbai cop (India Today / Oct 2024)
▪ Arrested BK16 Poet Alleges Intimidation After Protesting Prison Corruption (Indiejournal.in / Jul 2024)

▪ Video: The Prison Song of Surendra Gadling (The Wire / lyrics by Ramesh Gaychor)

hindi | 11min | 2021
Gadling, a well-known criminal lawyer in Nagpur, was once a cultural activist, who sang songs of political resistance. The 11- minutes- long rendition tells you what it means to be incarcerated in Indian prisons. From food, water, to medical care, everything is a struggle, Gadling narrates. The song was recorded by one of Gadling’s colleagues and was made available to The Wire after obtaining his consent.
Watch video / Listen to the song

SC Adjourns Bail Pleas Of Surendra Gadling, Jyoti Jagtap & NIA Appeal Against Mahesh Raut’s Bail

06/02/2025 Asha

SC adjourns bail pleas of Surendra Gadling, Jyoti Jagtap in Bhima Koregaon case

06/02/2025

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

The Supreme Court also deferred the National Investigation Agency’s appeal against the bail granted to their co-accused Mahesh Raut.
The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned the bail petitions of lawyer Surendra Gadling and activist Jyoti Jagtap in the Bhima Koregaon case, Live Law reported.
A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal also deferred the National Investigation Agency’s appeal against the bail granted to their co-accused Mahesh Raut.
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Supreme Court Adjourns Bail Pleas Of Surendra Gadling, Jyoti Jagtap & NIA Appeal Against Mahesh Raut’s Bail

06/02/2025

Live Law / by LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK

The Supreme Court on Thursday (February 6) adjourned the petitions filed by lawyer Surendra Gadling and Jyoti Jagtap seeking bail in the Bhima Koregaon case over alleged links with banned Maoist groups.
A bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Rajesh Bindal also adjourned the appeal filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) challenging the bail granted to co-accused Mahesh Raut.
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Supreme Court Says Accused In Bhima Koregaon Case Are Not Allowing Trial To Proceed; Accused Seek Adjournment To Produce Documents

06/02/2025

Verdictum.in / by Riya Rathore

Counsel for Surendra Gadling in the Maoist link case sought an adjournment to produce documents to show that the accused are not delaying the trial in the Bhima Koregaon case.
The Supreme Court, today granted an adjournment in the bail applications of Surendra Gadling and Jyoti Jagtap in the Maoist link case after the Senior Advocate appearing for Gadling requested for an adjournment to produce documents. “Lordship may give me time to produce all the documents”, Senior Advocate Anand Grover appearing for Surendra Gadling submitted and the Court agreed.
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Also read:
▪ SC gives Maha govt two weeks time to respond to lawyer Surendra Gadling’s bail plea (Daijiworld / Dec 2024)
▪ Year after being granted bail, Mahesh Raut remains in jail as stay extended (The Indian Express / Sep 2024)
▪ SC adjourns hearing on bail plea of Bhima Koregaon case accused Jyoti Jagtap (Hindustan Times / Jul 2024)

Sudhir Dhawale interview: ‘The law remains blind to injustice even with the blindfold gone’

05/02/2025 Asha

Credits: Tabassum Barnagarwala/Scroll.in

Scroll.in / by Tabassum Barnagarwala

The writer spent six years and seven months in jail before receiving bail in the Bhima Koregaon case.
On January 24, when Sudhir Dhawale walked back into the narrow lane in the Mumbai neighbourhood of Govandi where he lived until he was arrested in June, 2018, young men welcomed him with the beat of the dhol.
His neighbours then marched in a celebratory procession to a statue of BR Ambedkar 100 metres away. Dhawale garlanded the statue and gave a short speech about the importance of safeguarding Dalit rights. And just like that, he said, his life returned to normal.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Interview | Sudhir Dhawale’s Work Will Go on (The Wire / Feb 2025)
▪ Rona Wilson interview: ‘My arrest was a warning to others who stand against the abuse of power’ (Scroll.in / Feb 2025)
▪ Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale released: Seven years of injustice by a state that punishes dissent [read order] (Sabrangindia / Jan 2025)
▪ Let’s Remember the Lesson of Bhima Koregaon: Down with the New Peshwai (Sanhati │ by Sudhir Dhawale │ March 2018)

Rona Wilson interview: ‘My arrest was a warning to others who stand against the abuse of power’

01/02/2025 Asha

Credits: Scroll.in / Tabassum Barnagarwala

Scroll.in / by Tabassum Barnagarwala

The activist and researcher was released on bail on January 8 after spending more than six years in jail without trial in the Bhima Koregaon case.
At 53, researcher Rona Wilson is trying to pick up the pieces of the life he was forced to leave behind when he was arrested in the contentious Bhima Koregaon case six years and seven months ago.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale released: Seven years of injustice by a state that punishes dissent [read order] (Sabrangindia / Jan 2025)
▪ Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale Get Bail After 6.5 Years of Jail in Elgar Parishad Case (The Wire / Jan 2025)
▪ Five Years of Incarceration – and the Audacity of Hope (The Wire | Rona Wilson | Jul 2023)

2016 Surjagarh Mine Arson Case: SC To Hear Bail Plea Of Surendra Gadling Next Week

30/01/2025 Asha

Outlook / by pti

On December 25, 2016, Maoist rebels allegedly set ablaze 76 vehicles being used for transporting iron ore from Surajgarh mines in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli.
The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned to next week the hearing on the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case.
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal deferred the matter as additional solicitor general Raja Thakare, representing Maharashtra government, was unavailable.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Gadchiroli arson case: Supreme Court issues notice in bail plea of Surendra Gadling (The Leaflet / Oct 2023)
▪ Now, ED Wants to Probe Elgar Parishad Case, Accuses Surendra Gadling of ‘Money Laundering’ (The Wire / July 2022)
▪ Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)
▪ Maharashtra: Activists, Lawyers Added to ‘Union War Book’, Listed as ‘Enemies of the State’ (The Wire / Jul 2021)
▪ Gadling in jail. Reason? As lawyer-activist he has been ‘unpleasant’ to India’s topcops (Counterview / Dec 2020)
▪ Now Gadchiroli Police takes custody of Surendra Gadling, P Varavara Rao, prompting senior lawyers to say this is ‘ever-greening of charges’ (The Leaflet / Jan 2019)

By Adv Surendra Gadling Defence Committee:
With due credit to anonymous artist and to the jailed, to be jailed lawyers

Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale released: Seven years of injustice [read order] / Extraordinary delay in trial

27/01/2025 Asha

Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale released: Seven years of injustice by a state that punishes dissent [read order]

29/01/2025

Sabrangindia / by Sabrangindia

Their freedom comes after years of judicial neglect and the systemic abuse of laws to silence opposition; highlights the weaponisation of anti-terror laws to crush dissent and derail justice.
After spending nearly seven years in jail, activists Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale were finally released from Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai on January 24, 2025. Their release came over two weeks after the Bombay High Court granted them bail in the controversial Bhima Koregaon case on January 8. The court noted the activists had been incarcerated since 2018, with no realistic hope of their trial concluding anytime soon—a grim reflection of India’s justice system and its treatment of dissenters.
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Bail for Bhima Koregaon accused highlights extraordinary delay in trial

28/01/2025

Scroll.in / by Vineet Bhalla

The snail’s pace at which the Bhima Koregaon case has proceeded through the criminal justice system is due to delays attributable to the prosecution.
Activists Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale walked out of prison on Friday after being under incarceration for six and a half years in the Bhima Koregaon case.
The Bombay High Court granted them bail on January 8 on grounds that they had spent a long period in jail without trial or even charges being framed against them.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale Get Bail After 6.5 Years of Jail in Elgar Parishad Case (The Wire / Jan 2025)
▪ Year after being granted bail, Mahesh Raut remains in jail as stay extended (The Indian Express / Sep 2024)

After 6.5 years in jail: Sudhir Dhawale and Rona Wilson released from Taloja Central Jail

24/01/2025 Asha

Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale released on bail after over 6 years in prison

26/01/2025

The Sunday Gardian / by Correspondent

On January 24, 2025, researcher Rona Wilson and activist Sudhir Dhawale were released on bail from Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai, more than 6 years after their arrest in connection with the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case.
The duo walked out of the prison around 1:30 pm after completing bail formalities, following a decision by the Bombay High Court.
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Activists Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale released from jail

24/01/2025

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

The Bombay High Court granted them bail on January 8, stating that ‘there is no possibility of the trial to conclude in the near future’.
Activists Rona Wilson and Sudhir Dhawale were released from jail in Navi Mumbai on Friday, more than two weeks after the Bombay High Court granted them bail in the Bhima Koregaon case, PTI reported.
The High Court granted them bail on January 8, stating that the activists had been in jail since 2018 and “there is no possibility of the trial to conclude in the near future”.
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Activists Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson released from Taloja Central Jail

24/01/2025

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

Sudhir Dhawale and Rona Wilson were earlier granted bail by the Bombay High Court on grounds of long incarceration without trial.
ctivists Sudhir Dhawale and Rona Wilson, both of whom were arrested in the Elgaar Parishad case in 2018, were released from Taloja Central Jail on Friday afternoon. The two were granted bail by the Bombay High Court on January 8. Their lawyers completed the bail procedures on Thursday before the Mumbai trial court, after which release memos were issued.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale Get Bail After 6.5 Years of Jail in Elgar Parishad Case (The Wire / Jan 2025)