Case Update – free them all

SC Questions 6-Year Delay in Surendra Gadling Case, Seeks Quick Decision on Key Bhima Koregaon Records

01/12/2025 Asha

2016 Gadchiroli Arson Case: SC Demands Improved Virtual Conferencing In Surendra Gadling’s Trial

02/12/2025

Free Press Journal / by FPJ News Service

The Supreme Court directed Maharashtra to ensure proper functioning of virtual conferencing during hearings in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case after repeated technical failures. Hearing Surendra Gadling’s bail plea, the court urged expedited trial proceedings and re-listed the matter for January, addressing delays and pending applications in the case.
The Supreme Court, on Monday, told Maharashtra authorities to ensure that virtual conferencing facilities function properly during hearings in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case, after Surendra Gadling’s counsel complained that the video conferencing (VC) system routinely fails when the lawyer-activist is produced before the trial court, reports legal portal livelaw.in.
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Ensure Proper VC Facilities In Trial Of 2016 Gadchiroli Arson Case : Supreme Court To Maharashtra

01/12/2025

Live Law / by Debby Jain

The Supreme Court on Monday told Maharashtra authorities to ensure that virtual conferencing facilities function properly during hearings in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case, after Surendra Gadling’s counsel complained that the VC system routinely fails when the lawyer-activist is produced before the trial court.
The bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi was hearing Gadling’s bail plea. Gadling, who has spent 6 years and 10 months in custody, told the Court that he has been unfairly “branded” only because he appeared as counsel in certain Naxalite cases.
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Supreme Court Questions 6-Year Delay in Surendra Gadling Case, Seeks Quick Decision on Key Bhima Koregaon Records

01/12/2025

LawChakra / by Hardik Khandelwal

The Supreme Court raised concerns over Surendra Gadling’s six-and-a-half-year custody without trial, directing a quick decision on pending applications. Gadling argued prolonged delays, missing electronic evidence, and unequal treatment as other accused are already on bail.
The Supreme Court of India today heard the bail plea of Surendra Gadling, who is an accused in the Elgar Parishad–Maoist links case.
The matter, titled Surendra Pundalik Gadling v. State of Maharashtra (Crl.A. No. 3742/2023), came before a Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi.
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Also read:
▪ Supreme Court gives Maharashtra final chance to file affidavit on Surendra Gadling’s plea in 2016 Surjagarh mine arson case (The Leaflet / Oct 2025)
▪ 2016 Surjagarh arson case: Advocate Gadling can appear in person to argue his discharge plea, says court (The Indian Express / Oct 2025)
▪ Elgar Parishad case: HC questions Gadling’s plea, says accused can’t choose probe agency (Hindustan Times / Sep 2025)
▪ Supreme Court Seeks Explanation on Delayed Trial in 2016 Arson Case (Devdiscourse / Sep 2025)
▪ 6 yrs, no charges framed – Surendra Gadling stuck in trial limbo in 2016 Surajgarh arson case (The Print / Sep 2025)
▪ In Surendra Gadling’s case, adjournment becomes the verdict (Frontline / Aug 2025)
▪ Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)

Teltumbde makes his voice heard online / NIA court refuses Anand Teltumbde’s request to travel to literary festival

27/11/2025 Asha

Teltumbde barred from attending Hortus, makes his voice heard online

28/11/2025

Onmanorama / by Team Onmanorama

At the Manorama Hortus, the stage was set for two speakers, but only one chair was occupied. Writer S Anand sat alone, while the face of renowned scholar and activist Anand Teltumbde looked down from a large screen behind him.
“He is everywhere, but not here,” S Anand told the audience, explaining the “unfortunate turn of circumstances.”
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Out on bail in Bhima Koregaon case, academician Teltumbde’s request to attend lit fest rejected by court

27/11/2025

The Print / by Mayank Kumar

Mumbai court said invite to speak at Kochi festival was a ‘luxury’. The Dalit rights activist was set a pre-condition by Bombay HC in 2022 to take trial court’s nod for travel.
A Mumbai court has rejected the plea of academician Anand Teltumbde to attend a literature festival in Kochi organised by the media house, Malayala Manorama.
The court ruled that an invitation to speak at the festival was not an extreme circumstance that could fulfil the bail conditions imposed by the Bombay High Court in November 2022.
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NIA court refuses Teltumbde’s request to travel for Kochi literary festival

27/11/2025

Hindustan Times / by Vikrant Jha

Teltumbde was arrested by the NIA in April 2020 for alleged involvement in the Elgaar Parishad event in Pune on December 31, 2017, which investigators claim fuelled caste violence near the Bhima Koregaon war memorial the following day
A special court constituted under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday rejected a plea by scholar and human rights activist Anand Teltumbde, an accused in the 2018 Elgar Parishad–Bhima Koregaon case, seeking permission to travel to Kochi later this week for an academic engagement.
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Elgaar case accused’s plea rejected: Going to speak at literature event ‘sort of luxury’: Court to Teltumbde

27/11/2025

The Indian Express / by Sadaf Modak

The court said that the Bombay High Court while granting bail to Teltumbde in November 2022 had imposed a condition with a specific intention, directing him not to go beyond local limits of the court.
Observing that travelling outside Mumbai to speak at a literature event for academic purposes is “sort of a luxury”, a special court Wednesday rejected permission to scholar Anand Teltumbde, booked in the Elgaar Parishad case, to travel to Kochi for two days.
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Also read:
▪ Bombay HC refuses to allow Anand Teltumbde to travel abroad for lectures (Scroll.in / Oct 2025)
▪ Anti-terror agency seeks to seize Anand Teltumbde’s passport (India Today / Sep 2025)
▪ NIA opposes Anand Teltumbde’s plea to travel abroad, cites risk of absconding (The Hindu / April 2025)

Welcome Comrade Jyoti Jagtap / In Jail For Over Five Years, Jyoti Jagtap Given Interim Bail by SC

22/11/2025 Asha

by Paras Nath Singh (Nov 24, 2025):

After more than five years of unjust incarceration as an undertrial in the Bhima Koregaon case, activist Jyoti Jagtap walked free from jail on interim bail.

by Anish (Nov 22, 2025):
Welcome Comrade Jyoti Jagtap.
Release All Political Prisoners !!

By Outlook India (Nov 22, 2025)

Activist Jyoti Jagtap being greeted by friends and relatives outside Byculla Jail after the Supreme Court granted her interim bail in the Bhima-Koregaon case, in Mumbai.

Elgar Parishad Case: In Jail For Over Five Years, Jyoti Jagtap Given Interim Bail by SC

19/11/2025

The Wire / by The Wire Staff

Cultural activist Jagtap, who is the only woman to still be behind bars in the case, was given interim bail until February 2026.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (November 19) granted cultural activist Jyoti Jagtap interim bail in the Elgar Parishad case in which she has spent five years and six months in jail.
Her interim bail will continue until the next hearing, scheduled for February 2026. Her long-drawn struggle to secure regular bail has involved multiple petitions before various benches from the trial court up to the apex court.
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Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail To Jyoti Jagtap In Bhima Koregaon Case

19/11/2025

Live Law / by Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

The Supreme Court today (November 19) granted interim bail to activist and member of cultural organisation Kala Kabir Manch, Jyoti Jagtap, in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad matter till the next date of hearing, which is in February 2026.
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Supreme Court grants intrim bail to Bhima Koregaon accused Jyoti Jagtap

19/11/2025

Bar & Bench / by Debayan Roy

A Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma passed the order after it was brought to their notice that Jagtap has been in custody for nearly 5.5 years.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to Jyoti Jagtap, one of the accused persons in the Bhima Koregaon violence case.
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SC grants interim bail to Elgaar Parishad case accused Jyoti Jagtap

19/11/2025

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

Jyoti Jagtap was the 15th person to be arrested in the Elgaar Parishad case. She was arrested in September 2020 by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad, and handed over to NIA.
The Supreme Court Wednesday granted interim bail to Jyoti Jagtap, an accused in the Elgaar Parishad case who was arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967, for alleged links with banned Maoist outfits.
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Bhima Koregaon case: Activist Jyoti Jagtap gets interim bail from Supreme Court

19/11/2025

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

The court was informed that the activist had been in custody for over five years.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to activist Jyoti Jagtap, one of the 16 persons accused in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon case, Bar and Bench reported.
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Elgar Parishad Case: Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Jyoti Jagtap

19/11/2025

Outlook / by Priyanka Tupe

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to activist Jyoti Jagtap, who has spent over five years in jail in the Elgar Parishad case under UAPA.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to activist Jyoti Jagtap, who was arrested in 2020 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in the Elgar Parishad–Bhima Koregaon case for alleged Maoist links.
Read more

Also read:
▪ SC Grants Interim Bail To Mahesh Raut On Medical Grounds For Six Weeks, Jyoti Jagtap’s Bail Plea To Be Heard In October (The Commune / Sep 2025)
▪ SC adjourns bail pleas of Surendra Gadling, Jyoti Jagtap in Bhima Koregaon case (Scroll.in / Feb 2025)
▪ How Kabir Kala Manch, the anti-caste cultural troupe, challenges the hierarchical social order (Scroll.in / Jul 2024)
▪ Inconsistencies in Bail Orders Mean Individual Liberty Is the Outcome of Judicial Lottery (The Wire / Oct 2022)
▪ The Young Woman Who Would Not Cry (article 14 / Oct 2020)

Jyoti Jagtap. Credits: Kabir Kala Manch / facebook

Special court grants bail to Sagar Gorkhe to appear for law exam

20/11/2025 Asha

Elgaar Parishad case: special court grants bail to accused Sagar Gorkhe to appear for law exam

20/11/2025

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

While NIA opposed Elgaar Parishad case accused Sagar Gorkhe’s plea, the special court noted that he had been released on interim bail in the past and that the agency had not reported any violations of his bail conditions.
A special court Wednesday granted interim bail to Sagar Gorkhe, a singer-performer booked in the Elgaar Parishad case, to be released from jail to prepare and attend his law examination.
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Sagar Gorkhe gets temporary bail to write law exams

20/11/2025

India Today / by Vidya

A special NIA court in Mumbai has granted temporary bail to Elgar Parishad accused Sagar Tatyaram Gorkhe to allow him to appear for his law examinations from November 20 to December 16, 2025.
A special NIA court in Mumbai has granted temporary bail to Sagar Tatyaram Gorkhe, an accused in the 2018 Elgar Parishad case, to allow him to appear for his law examinations.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Special NIA court allows Sagar Gorkhe to use laptop in prison for case files (Times of India / Aug 2025)
▪ BK-16 PRISON DIARIES: Sagar Gorkhe on his battle to survive Taloja jail’s brutality (The Polis Project / Feb 2025)
▪ Maharashtra: Raising the bar from behind bars (Midday.com / May 2024)
▪ Bhima Koregaon case: Two prisoners pass law entrance test (Hindustan Times / May 2024)

SC gives Maharashtra final chance to file affidavit on Surendra Gadling’s plea in 2016 Surjagarh case

30/10/2025 Asha

Supreme Court gives Maharashtra final chance to file affidavit on Surendra Gadling’s plea in 2016 Surjagarh mine arson case

30/10/2025

The Leaflet / by Paramod Kumar

Senior Advocate Anand Grover strongly objected to the delay, pointing out that nearly six weeks had elapsed since the Court had last asked the State to explain the reasons behind the delay in trial.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the Maharashtra government a final opportunity to submit its affidavit in response to a petition filed by advocate Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case.
A Bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi allowed the State one more week to file its affidavit, making it clear that this would be the last extension.
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2016 Gadchiroli Case: Surendra Gadling Objects To State’s Delay In Filing Affidavit Explaining Reasons For Trial’s Delay

29/10/2025

Live Law / by Debby Jain

Lawyer and activist Surendra Gadling today objected to the State of Maharashtra’s delay in filing an affidavit before the Supreme Court in his plea seeking bail in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case.
At the request of Additional Solicitor General SV Raju (for State), a bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi however granted the State 1 week’s time to file the document, as a last opportunity.
Read more

Also read:
▪ 2016 Surjagarh arson case: Advocate Gadling can appear in person to argue his discharge plea, says court (The Indian Express / Oct 2025)
▪ Elgar Parishad case: HC questions Gadling’s plea, says accused can’t choose probe agency (Hindustan Times / Sep 2025)
▪ Supreme Court Seeks Explanation on Delayed Trial in 2016 Arson Case (Devdiscourse / Sep 2025)
▪ 6 yrs, no charges framed – Surendra Gadling stuck in trial limbo in 2016 Surajgarh arson case (The Print / Sep 2025)
▪ In Surendra Gadling’s case, adjournment becomes the verdict (Frontline / Aug 2025)
▪ Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)

2016 Surjagarh arson case: Advocate Gadling can appear in person to argue his discharge plea, says court

17/10/2025 Asha

The Indian Express / by Sadaf Modak

Observing that denying permission to advocate Surendra Gadling to argue his discharge application in person, pending for nearly three years in a case in Gadchiroli, would “compound the injustice already caused by the inordinate delay”, a special court in Aheri directed that arrangements be made for him to be produced before it on October 28.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Elgar Parishad case: HC questions Gadling’s plea, says accused can’t choose probe agency (Hindustan Times / Sep 2025)
▪ Supreme Court Seeks Explanation on Delayed Trial in 2016 Arson Case (Devdiscourse / Sep 2025)
▪ 6 yrs, no charges framed – Surendra Gadling stuck in trial limbo in 2016 Surajgarh arson case (The Print / Sep 2025)
▪ In Surendra Gadling’s case, adjournment becomes the verdict (Frontline / Aug 2025)
▪ Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)

‘Can get treatment at Mumbai civic hospital’: Court declines travel nod to Varavara Rao

10/10/2025 Asha

Activist Varavara Rao’s request to travel for dental surgery rejected

10/10/2025

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

The court said that adequate and affordable treatment was available in the city and found no satisfactory reason for the 85-year-old to travel to Telangana.
A special National Investigation Agency court in Mumbai on Thursday rejected a plea by 85-year-old activist and poet Varavara Rao, who is out on bail in the Bhima Koregaon case, seeking permission to travel to Hyderabad for two months for a dental surgery, The Indian Express reported.
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‘Can get treatment at Mumbai civic hospital’: Court declines travel nod to Varavara Rao

10/10/2025

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

85-yr-old filed plea for travel to Hyderabad for dental operation
A special court on Thursday rejected a plea filed by Telugu poet 85-year-old Varavara Rao, an accused in the Elgaar Parishad case, who had sought to travel to Hyderabad for two months for a dental operation.
The court said that the Supreme Court while granting him bail in its “magnanimous humanity” had given him the liberty to leave Mumbai if required with permission from the special court.
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Also read:
▪ SC refuses to hear plea of P Varavara Rao on bail modification (Hindustan Times / Sep 2025)
▪ For accused out on bail, Court’s condition to not leave city a further challenge (The Indian Express / Jan 2025)
▪ Supreme Court grants permanent medical bail to P. Varavara Rao in Bhima Koregaon case (The Leaflet / Aug 2022)

Supreme Court Extends Interim Bail Of Mahesh Raut Till November 26

09/10/2025 Asha

Live Law / by Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

The Supreme Court today (October 9) extended the interim bail granted to Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case accused Mahesh Sitaram Raut, arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, over alleged Maoist links, till November 26. Raut was granted bail on September 16 for a period of six weeks by a bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Satish Kumar Sharma on medical grounds. The same bench today extended his interim medical bail.
…
Along with Raut, co-accused Jyoti Jagtap’s matter is also listed before this bench.
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Also read:
▪ SC Grants Interim Bail To Mahesh Raut On Medical Grounds For Six Weeks, Jyoti Jagtap’s Bail Plea To Be Heard In October (The Commune / Sep 2025)
▪ Supreme Court grants six-week interim medical bail to Bhima Koregaon accused Mahesh Raut (Sabrangindia / Sep 2025)
▪ Year after being granted bail, Mahesh Raut remains in jail as stay extended (The Indian Express / Sep 2024)
▪ Inconsistencies in Bail Orders Mean Individual Liberty Is the Outcome of Judicial Lottery (The Wire / Oct 2022)

Bombay High Court seeks NIA’s response to Navlakha’s plea to reside in Delhi

07/10/2025 Asha

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

The special court designated under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act in June this year had rejected Navlakha’s plea, after which he approached the HC in July this year challenging the same.
…
A bench of Justices Gadkari and Ranjitsinha R Bhonsale on Friday issued notice to NIA seeking its reply by next hearing on November 7.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Gautam Navlakha cites Mumbai costs draining savings, seeks virtual hearing (India Today / Oct 2025)
▪ Mumbai court denies Elgar Parishad case accused’s plea to visit Delhi (India Today / Aug 2025)
▪ Bhima Koregaon case: Court rejects activist Gautam Navlakha’s plea to live in Delhi (Scroll.in / Jun 2025)
▪ Navlakha files application in court seeking permission to stay in Delhi (The Indian Express / Apr 2025)
▪ Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon accused struggle to find house in city (Hindustan Times / Nov 2022)

Father Stan Swamy died of natural causes, Maharashtra government tells court

06/10/2025 Asha

Father Stan Swamy died of natural causes, Maharashtra government tells court

07/10/2025

India Today / by Vidya

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission found no foul play or medical negligence. The Bombay High Court is hearing a plea to clear his name, with further hearing on November 13.
The Maharashtra government on Monday submitted a magistrate’s enquiry report confirming that Father Stan Swamy’s death was due to natural causes. The report, prepared by Bandra Magistrate Komalsing Rajput following an enquiry on April 24, 2024, concluded that the 84-year-old activist, who was imprisoned in the Elgar Parishad case, died from “septicemia due to lobar pneumonia (natural).”
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‘Father Stan Swamy Died Natural Death, Was Provided Prompt Medical Treatment’: State Tells Bombay High Court

06/10/2025

Live Law / by Narsi Benwal

The Bombay High Court was informed on Monday that a mandatory Magisterial Inquiry report on Father Stan Swamy’s death was submitted before the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) earlier in May which concluded that he had died a ‘natural death.’
Read more

Also read:
▪ NIA opposes plea to clear Stan Swamy’s name, says it would set wrong precedent (India Today / Sep 2025)
▪ I saw firsthand how callous prison officials and their negligence led to Stan Swamy’s death (Scroll.in | by Arun Ferreira | Jul 2025)
▪ Daring, Fearless and Kind, Father Stan Swamy Remains a Beacon of Resistance (The Wire | by Hany Babu, Jyoti Jagtap, Mahesh Raut, Ramesh Murlidhar Gaichor, Sagar Gorkhe, Surendra Gadling | Jul 2025)
▪ How the system broke Stan Swamy: A cell mate recalls the activist’s last days in prison (Scroll.in | by Arun Ferreira | Aug 2021)