The arson case has been linked to the Bhima-Koregaon case. 12-page common order effectively rejects discharge pleas of accused, sets stage for trial to commence.
Charges were framed last month against advocate Surendra Gadling in the Gadchiroli-Surajgarh arson case which has long been stalled and linked with the Bhima Koregaon case, the Supreme Court was told Thursday.
In an affidavit filed before the apex court, the Registrar General of the Bombay High Court (Nagpur Bench) submitted details of the exact steps taken by the High Court to ensure video conferencing for Surendra Gadling. It said the trial court framed charges in the case on 18 March this year. Read more
Justice Chandurkar Recuses From Hearing Surendra Gadling’s Bail Plea In Gadchiroli Arson Case
02/04/2026
Live Law / by Amisha Shrivastava
Justice Atul Chandurkar of the Supreme Court today recused from hearing advocate Surendra Gadling’s bail plea in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case. The matter was listed today before a bench of Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Atul Chandurkar.
Earlier, Justice MM Sundresh had recused from the case. Subsequently, the case was being heard by a bench led by Justice JK Maheshwari. Today, Justice Maheshwari was sitting with Justice Chandurkar, who recused. Read more
Supreme Court Justice AS Chandurkar recuses from Surendra Galing’s bail plea in Surajgarh arson case
02/04/2026
Bar & Bench / by Ritu Yadav
Earlier, Justice MM Sundresh had recused from hearing the matter.
Supreme Court Justice Atul S Chandurkar on Thursday recused from hearing a bail plea filed by lawyer and activist Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surajgarh arson case [Surendra Pundalik Gadling vs State of Maharashtra].
Earlier, Justice MM Sundresh had recused from hearing the matter. Read more
Supreme Court hears plea by human rights lawyer Surendra Gadling seeking bail in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case.
Bench: Justices JK Maheshwari and AS Chandurkar
Counsel: I’m appearing for the High Court, we have filed a compliance affidavit stating that all directions have been complied with, since the High Court is not a formal party. My Lords may permit me.
J. Maheshwari: Today, we can’t do anything.
ASG SV Raju: I understand
Court: list before another bench
Justice Atul Chandurkar recuses from hearing the matter.
Bombay High Court Asks Maharashtra Govt If Bhima Koregaon Accused Surendra Gadling Can Use Jail Computer To Review Evidence
26/03/2026
Live Law / by Narsi Benwal
The Bombay High Court on Thursday sought to know from the Maharashtra Government if it could permit Surendra Gadling, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon – Elgar Parishad case, to access the computer installed in the Taloja Central Prison to review the evidence against him.
A division bench of Justice Ajay Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata while refusing Gadling to use his own laptop while in prison to review evidence, clarified that it can consider permitting him to access the computer in the prison, as the very issue would affect cases in future. Read more
Bombay High Court hears accused Surendra Gadling’s plea seeking computer access in jail to prepare for trial.
Gadling, an undertrial, says the case evidence is largely electronic, spread across 11 hard drives (around 40 TB).
Gadling’s counsel argued that similar access was granted to co-accused Mahesh Raut and Sagar Gorkhe. However the computer was non-functional
The State informed that a new computer has been installed in the jail office.
Court asked jail authorities how long can they let an undertrial access the computer and how long will it take for Gadling to review all the evidence.
The court asked Gadling to inform how long can he sit before the computer and asked prison authorities details whether NIA’s data can be accessed on it.
▪ Video: The Prison Song of Surendra Gadling (The Wire / lyrics by Ramesh Gaychor) hindi | 11min | 2021
51- year-old 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
Babu was granted bail by the Bombay High Court in December 2025, over five years since his arrest in the case.
Rejecting a plea filed by Delhi University associate professor and Elgaar Parishad accused Hany Babu for permission to stay in Kerala for two months with his mother, a special court in Mumbai said he was allowed last month for a visit, and should consider moving her to Mumbai if he wants to reside with her. Read more
A special NIA court this week rejected the plea of 85-year-old poet and activist P Varavara Rao to permanently relocate to his hometown of Hyderabad on medical and financial grounds.
Rao sought the relief on the ground that living in Mumbai has become a financial burden, noting that while his monthly pension is approximately Rs 50,000 rupees, while his living expenses in the city exceed Rs 77,000. The activist stated that relying on his children to bridge this financial gap was “affecting his dignity and self independence.” Read more
‘Can’t travel beyond SC’: NIA court says no to activist Varavara Rao’s relocation plea
18/03/2026
The Print / by pti
A special NIA court in Mumbai has refused permission to poet-activist Varavara Rao, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, to permanently relocate to his hometown Hyderabad, citing lack of authority to modify bail conditions set by the Supreme Court.
Rao (85), in a plea, had sought permission from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court for relocating to his hometown on grounds of advanced age and financial hardship. Read more
March 12, 2026. Shared by Naresh / @NareshS82042464
The Indian Express / by Express News Service
In January, the Supreme Court said that it would order expediting the proceedings as Gadling remains behind bars for seven years since his arrest in 2019, with the trial yet to commence.
The sessions court in Aheri, Gadchiroli, has rejected a plea filed by lawyer Surendra Gadling, accused in the 2016 Surjagarh arson case, seeking access to mirror images of electronic devices as part of the evidence against him. The Supreme Court has directed the trial court to expedite the hearing on Gadling’s discharge plea, pending since 2022. Read more
Hany Babu permitted to travel to Kerala to meet mother, court allows law enforcement agencies to monitor his whereabouts
15/02/2026
The Indian Express / by Sadaf Modak
A special court has permitted Delhi University professor and Elgaar Parishad accused Hany Babu to travel to Kerala on humanitarian grounds, while allowing the NIA to monitor his whereabouts.
Noting that meeting his 80-year-old mother after nearly six years in jail is a ‘just consideration’, a special court permitted Hany Babu, an associate professor at Delhi University and accused in the Elgaar Parishad case, to travel to Kerala. Read more
NIA court allows Hany Babu to visit elderly mother in Kerala
15/02/2026
Hindustan Times / by Vikrant Jha
The court however said that he would have to return before the first Monday of March to mark his attendance at the Mumbai NIA office
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court has allowed former Delhi University professor and civil rights activist Hany Babu to travel to his house in Kerala to meet his 80-year-old mother. The court however said that he would have to return before the first Monday of March to mark his attendance at the Mumbai NIA office. Read more
by Sukanya Shantha (Feb 14, 2026):
The state may have kept Prof. Hany Babu behind bars for nearly 6 years and his bail conditions now confine him to Mumbai.
Yet his students’ love for their beloved teacher remain as strong as ever. Today, a rose was quietly left outside his office at DU.
Happy Valentine’s Day 🙂
Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor after being released from Taloja Jail. Jan 27, 2026. shared by Maktoob/@MaktoobMedia (Jan 28, 2026):
Bhima Koregaon case: Kabir Kala Manch activists Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor walk out of jail after 1,970 days
Kabir Kala Manch activists Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor walked out of jail after being granted bail in the Bhima Koregaon case, ending nearly five and a half years of incarceration. The two had been lodged in prison since 7 September 2020 under the draconian UAPA.
‘Lost Five and a Half Years, But Dignity Still Intact’: Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor Walk Out on Bail
27/01/2026
The Wire / by Sukanya Shantha
Released from jail on Tuesday, both activists lamented the continuing incarceration of their fellow Elgar Parishad accused Surendra Gadling.
The most challenging phase of incarceration, according to Sagar Gorkhe, one of the activists accused in the Elgar Parishad case, is the “agonising wait” for release after bail has been granted.
Gorkhe and fellow accused Ramesh Gaichor were granted bail by the Bombay high court on January 23. A division bench comprising Justices A.S. Gadkari and S.C. Chandak allowed their appeals against the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court’s earlier rejection of bail, primarily on grounds of parity with other co-accused who had already been released, as well as their prolonged detention. Read more
Bail for Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor, five years and five months after arrest
23/01/2026
SabrangIndia / by SabrangIndia
Bhima Koregaon Case: Bombay High Court granted bail to Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor With Friday (January 23) order, only lawyer Surendra Gadling would continue to remain in jail in this matter that has incarcerated several with the FIR being filed in early 2018
The Bombay High Court on Friday, January 23, granted bail to Bhima Koregaon accused and Kabir Kala Manch artistes Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor in connection with the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence case. It was a bench of Justices AS Gadkari and SC Chandak that allowed the appeals filed by Gorkhe and Gaichor against the February 2022 order of the special NIA court in Mumbai, which had rejected their bail pleas in the matter. Read more
Also watch: ▪ Video statement by Sagar Gorkhe & Ramesh Gaichor
by Sukanya Shantha/@sukanyashantha (Sep 7, 2020):
Kabir Kala Manch activists Sagar Gorkhe & Ramesh Gaichor have alleged that they’re being forced by the NIA to give confessional statements claiming they are a part of Maoist organization. The two refused, and were arrested today.
(This video was recorded on Sep 5.) Watch video
Bail for Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor, five years and five months after arrest in Bhima Koregaon case
Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor. Poster by #bakeryprasad
Bail for Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor, five years and five months after arrest
23/01/2026
SabrangIndia / by SabrangIndia
Bhima Koregaon Case: Bombay High Court granted bail to Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor With Friday (January 23) order, only lawyer Surendra Gadling would continue to remain in jail in this matter that has incarcerated several with the FIR being filed in early 2018
The Bombay High Court on Friday, January 23, granted bail to Bhima Koregaon accused and Kabir Kala Manch artistes Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor in connection with the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence case. It was a bench of Justices AS Gadkari and SC Chandak that allowed the appeals filed by Gorkhe and Gaichor against the February 2022 order of the special NIA court in Mumbai, which had rejected their bail pleas in the matter. Read more
Bombay High Court Grants Bail To Ramesh Gaichor & Sagar Gorkhe After 5 Yrs In Jail
23/01/2026
Live Law / by Narsi Benwal
The Bombay High Court on Friday granted bail to Ramesh Gaichor and Sagar Gorkhe, both arrested since 2020 for their roles in the Elgar Parishad – Bhima Koregaon case.
A division bench of Justice Ajay Gadkari and Justice Shyam Chandak granted bail on the ground of long incarceration.
A detailed order granting them bail is yet to be made available. Read more
Seven Years On, Bail Finally For Gorkhe & Gaichor In Bhima Koregaon Case
23/01/2026
Outlook / by Priyanka Tupe
The Bombay high court on Friday granted bail to Sagar Gorkhe & Ramesh Gaichor in the Bhima Koregaon case. Total 16 accused were arrested in the case, of which only lawyer Surendra Gadling remains in jail now, denied bail.
The Bombay High Court on Friday granted interim bail to Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor in the Bhima Koregaon case, noting the prolonged incarceration of the two accused even as trial in the matter has not commenced after seven years. The activists have been accused of having links with banned Maoist organisations. Read more
Bombay HC Grants Bail To Activists Sagar Gorkhe & Ramesh Gaichor
23/01/2026
Free Press Journal / by Urvi Mahajani
The Bombay High Court granted bail to activists Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor in the Elgar Parishad Maoist links case, citing parity with other accused already released. Arrested in 2020, they must furnish bail bonds and report monthly to the NIA. The case involves alleged provocative speeches at a 2017 event that sparked violence in Maharashtra. Trial delays cited.
The Bombay High Court on Friday granted bail to two accused in the Elgar Parishad Maoist links case — activists Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor — on grounds of parity. Read more
Why Kabir Kala Manch artists Gorkhe and Gaichor, granted bail by HC, were arrested by NIA for ‘Maoist links’
23/01/2026
The Indian Express / by Chandan Haygunde
An offence was lodged against some Elgaar Parishad organisers at Vishrambag police station in Pune in January 2018.
More than five years after being arrested in the Elgaar Parishad case for alleged Maoist links, Ramesh Gaichor (41) and Sagar Gorkhe (37), both members of the Pune based cultural group Kabir Kala Manch (KKM), were given bail by the Bombay High Court (HC) on Friday.
The KKM is among the outfits that organised the Elgaar Parishad conclave at the Shaniwar Wada in Pune city on December 31, 2017, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Koregaon Bhima. The following day, widespread violence was reported in Koregaon Bhima area in Pune district, in which one person died while several others were left injured. Read more
Credits: Drawing by Arun Ferreira / The Polis Project
NIA court denies Mahesh Raut permission to travel to Kerala for medical treatment
23/01/2026
Hindustan Times / by Vikrant Jha
The court said adequate treatment options are available in Mumbai and permitting him to travel to another state would dilute territorial restrictions imposed by the Bombay High Court
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court has rejected an application filed by Bhima Koregaon case accused Mahesh Raut seeking permission to travel to Kerala for medical treatment. The court said adequate treatment options are available in Mumbai and permitting him to travel to another state would dilute territorial restrictions imposed by the Bombay High Court. Read more
Mahesh Raut | A Broken Prison System Is In Dire Need Of Critical Care
22/01/2026
Outlook / by Mahesh Raut
Mahesh Raut, the youngest accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, was granted interim bail on medical grounds. Many prisoners have no hope.
What constitutes freedom? What does it constitute for the person who is confined or for the one who comes out of jail, only to get entangled in another web of chains; some similar, but for others, different from what they experienced behind bars. In a prison, your identity is reduced to just a number. You are dehumanised at the whims of authorities and burdened by numerous hurdles and difficulties to secure bail. Many are not able to come out of prison even after securing bail due to financial constraints. All these factors take a toll on the physical and mental health of prisoners. Read more
