Browsed by
Category: Persecution

‘Trial will take years & years & years:’ SC grants bail to Gautam Navlakha

‘Trial will take years & years & years:’ SC grants bail to Gautam Navlakha

Gautam Navlakha

Gautam Navlakha Gets Bail, But the Elgar Parishad Ordeal Continues

16/05/2024

The Wire / by Mekhala Saran

‘We are really hopeful now but also angry that a clearly innocent man has to remain in jail.’
On Tuesday, May 14, the Supreme Court finally refused to continue enabling the prolonged incarceration of septuagenarian activist and journalist Gautam Navlakha.
Noting that the trial would take “years and years and years for its completion,” the Supreme Court refused to extend its stay on the Bombay high court’s order granting bail to Navlakha. But the apex court only arrived at their decision — “no need for extending the interim order of stay,” it said — after Navlakha had already suffered over four years of incarceration. This includes a period of four months after the Bombay high court had already found that there was no material to implicate him under terrorism-related charges.
Read more


Gautam Navlakha granted bail by Supreme Court; orders him to pay 20 lakhs for the expenses incurred during his house arrest

15/05/2024

cjp.org / by CJP Team

Noting that trial may take years to complete, SC bench of Justices MM Sundresh and SVN Bhatti refused to extend the stay on Navlakha’s bail
On May 14, the Supreme Court bench of Justices MM Sundresh and SVN Bhatti granted bail to Gautam Navlakha in Bhima Koregaon conspiracy case, arguing that the accused has already undergone 4 years of incarceration and the trial may take “years and years and years” to complete.
The Supreme Court did not extend the stay on the bail, noting that the charges are yet to be framed and six of the co-accused in the case have already secured bail.
Read more


Supreme Court Lifts Stay on Bail Granted to Gautam Navlakha in Elgar Parishad Case

14/05/2024

The Wire / by The Wire Staff

Navlakha had been arrested on April 14, 2020. Since November 10, 2022, he has been under house arrest in Mumbai.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (May 14) lifted the stay on the bail granted to rights activist Gautam Navlakha, who was arrested in the Elgar Parishad case. The Bombay High Court had granted Navlakha bail on December 19 last year, but the court had then agreed to a three-week stay on its decision in which the National Investigation Agency could approach the Supreme Court.
Read more


Gautam Navlakha gets bail as Supreme Court lifts stay on Bombay High Court order

14/05/2024

Bar & Bench / by Abhimanyu Hazarika

A Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and SVN Bhatti refrained from extending the stay as the High Court order was detailed and also because the trial would take years to complete.
Gautam Navlakha, accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence case of 2018, got bail on Tuesday after the Supreme Court lifted the stay on the Bombay High Court order granting bail to the activist.
A Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and SVN Bhatti refrained from extending the stay as the High Court order was detailed and also because the trial would take years to complete.
Read more


Supreme Court grants bail to activist Gautam Navlakha in Elgaar Parishad case

14/05/2024

The Indian Express / by Express Web Service

The court also said that Navlakha has to pay Rs 20 lakh towards expenses for the security he availed during his house arrest.
Four years after his arrest, the Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to activist Gautam Navlakha in the Elgaar Parishad case.
The court granted bail considering Navlakha’s age and that trial will not be over anytime soon. The court also noted that some of the co-accused in the case have been granted bail.
Read more


Human rights activist Gautam Navlakha gets bail in Bhima Koregaon case

14/05/2024

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

The 70-year-old activist, arrested in August 2018, has been under house arrest since November 2022.
Human rights activist Gautam Navlakha was on Tuesday granted bail by the Supreme Court in the Bhima Koregaon case, Bar and Bench reported.
A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and SVN Bhatti granted the bail subject to the payment of Rs 20 lakh towards the cost of Navlakha’s security during his house arrest.
Read more


‘Trial will take years & years & years:’ SC grants bail to Bhima Koregaon accused Gautam Navlakha

14/05/2024

The Print / by The Print Team

The top court noted the former journalist was in jail for 4 years already, and that charges in the case were yet to be framed.
The Supreme Court Tuesday granted bail to activist Gautam Navlakha, an accused in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon case, observing that the trial in the case was not likely to end any time soon.
A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and S.V.N. Bhatti said Navlakha had been incarcerated for more than four years and that the trial would take “years and years and years” to complete.
Read more


Also read:
‘Ominous portents’: Why High Court staying its own bail orders in Bhima Koregaon case is troubling (Scroll.in / Dec 2023)
Bombay High Court grants, stays bail to Gautam Navlakha (The Leaflet / Dec 2023)

Social Activist Anand Teltumbde’s Discharge Plea Rejected By Special UAPA Court

Social Activist Anand Teltumbde’s Discharge Plea Rejected By Special UAPA Court

Poster by Siddesh Gautam / #bakeryprasad

Social Activist Anand Teltumbde’s Discharge Plea Rejected By Special UAPA Court

12/05/2024

The Free Press Journal / by Charul Shah Joshi

The court said determination of the evidence and rival contentions can take place only on conclusion of trial.
The special UAPA court has rejected scholar and activist Anand Teltumbde’s plea of discharge in the Elgar Parishad case, observing that material presented by the prosecution raises suspicion and is required to be tested in the trial.
Read more


Teltumbde part of Elgar plot, shows material

12/05/2024

Times of India / by Rebecca Samervel

In a detailed order rejecting the discharge plea of scholar and activist Anand Teltumbde in the Elgar Parishad case, a special NIA court on Friday said there is material which prima facie reveals about his involvement in the alleged conspiracy.
Read more


NIA court rejects Anand Teltumbde’s discharge plea

12/05/2024

Hindustan Times / by Rutuja Gaidhani

Special judge Rajesh J Katariya rejected the plea, observing that the material placed on record revealed involvement of Teltumbde in the conspiracy and further disclosed grave suspicion
The special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Friday rejected the application filed by civil rights activist Anand Teltumbde for discharge from the Bhima Koregaon conspiracy case.
Read more


Also read:
Why the Bombay High Court granted regular bail to Dr. Anand Teltumbde: An explainer (The Leaflet / Dec 2022)

▪ Multi-part interview by Neeta Kolhakar

▫ Part 1: Anand Teltumbde: I never imagined I would have a jail life (Rediff.com / by Neeta Kolhakar / Jul 25, 2023)
▫ Part 2: Anand Teltumbde: If my mother knew of my arrest, she would have died of shock (Rediff.com / by Neeta Kolhakar / Jul 28, 2023)
▫ Part 3: Rama Teltumbde: We struggled to see each day through (Rediff.com / by Neeta Kolhakar / Jul 31, 2023)

The Supreme Court again adjourns Gautam Navlakha’s hearing

The Supreme Court again adjourns Gautam Navlakha’s hearing

Gautam Navlakha

by Bar and Bench / @barandbench (May 7, 2024):

Supreme Court to continue hearing case regarding house arrest terms of activist Gautam Navlakha, accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence case.
NIA’s appeal against Bombay HC order granting him regular bail in the matter to also be heard.

Thread by Live Law / @LiveLawIndia (May 7, 2024):

#SupremeCourt to hear Bhima Koregaon-accused Gautam Navlakha’s plea for shifting his house arrest location in Mumbai.
Navlakha, a journalist and activist, was arrested on April 14, 2020.
Owing to his ill health, the Supreme Court placed him under house arrest in November 2022.
Counsel: Mr. Raju is arguing part heard in Court No. 2. It Might take a day.
Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan: That Court is sitting until 1 PM…He is 72 years old…this is not fair; last time, I did not say anything. We cannot continue like this.
Counsel: ASG is on legs in some other courts.
Court: He (ASG) has not shown an appearance till now. Every time matter goes on pass over.
However, Counsel requests short accommodation.
The court suggested the matter to be listed next week.
After citing practical difficulties to be listed on miscellaneous working days, the court listed the matter as Tuesday (next week).
On the request of Sr. Adv. Nitya Ramakrishnan, the court provided the last opportunity of hearing to ASG appearing for NIA.

Also read:
SC defers NIA appeal against Bombay HC’s bail to Gautam Navlakha to May 7 (The New Indian Express / April 30, 2024)

Court reserves order on Elgar Parishad case accused Surendra Gadling’s bail plea

Court reserves order on Elgar Parishad case accused Surendra Gadling’s bail plea

Surendra Gadling

India Today / by Vidya

Elgar Parishad case accused Surendra Gadling filed an appeal challenging a June 28, 2022 order of the special NIA court, that refused to grant default bail to him.
The Bombay High Court on Friday, reserved its order on the default bail petition of accused Surendra Gadling in the 2018 Elgar Parishad case.
Read more


by Bar and Bench / @barandbench (May 3, 2024):
Bombay High Court reserves plea filed by Surendra Gadling and Mahesh Raut, accused in Bhima Koregaon case, seeking default bail in the case.


Also read:
NIA special court rejects default bail application of five accused (The Leaflet / June 2022)
Bombay HC grants default bail to Sudha Bharadwaj, but declines the same to eight other accused (The Leaflet / Dec 2021)

Hany Babu withdraws bail plea in Supreme Court; says will approach Bombay High Court afresh

Hany Babu withdraws bail plea in Supreme Court; says will approach Bombay High Court afresh

Hany Babu

Ex-DU prof Hany Babu withdraws bail plea in Supreme Court

03/05/2024

Hindustan Times / by Abraham Thomas

A bench of justices allowed the petition to be withdrawn as “not pressed” while recording the statement of Babu’s lawyer Payoshi Roy that he would like to pursue the matter before the high court
The Supreme Court on Friday allowed former Delhi University (DU) professor Hany Babu, who is an accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence case, to withdraw his bail plea citing “change of circumstance” claiming that he would be moving the Bombay high court which had granted bail to five co-accused.
Read more


Professor Hany Babu withdraws bail plea from Supreme Court

03/05/2024

Bar & Bench / by Abhimanyu Hazarika

A Bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal was slated to hear the matter today when Babu’s counsel informed the Court that the bail plea was being withdrawn.
Professor Hany Babu, an accused in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence case, withdrew his bail plea from the Supreme Court today citing a change in circumstances [Hany Babu vs National Investigation Agency and anr].
Read more


Also read:
Branded Maoist, ex-political prisoners narrate how they were ‘wrongfully’ incarcerated (Counterview.net / March 2024)
SC notice to Maharashtra, NIA on bail plea of DU professor Hany Babu (The Hindu / Jan 2024)
Bombay HC rejects Hany Babu’s bail plea: ‘Prime facie conspired and abetted terrorist act’ (The Indian Express / Sep 2022)
No bail; ‘prima facie evidence Hany Babu part of Maoist outfit’: court (The Indian Express / Feb 2022)

Trial May Not Be Over For Another 10 Years, Says SC While Hearing NIA Challenge To Gautam Navlakha’s Bail

Trial May Not Be Over For Another 10 Years, Says SC While Hearing NIA Challenge To Gautam Navlakha’s Bail

Gautam Navlakha

Trial May Not Be Over For Another 10 Years, Says SC While Hearing NIA Challenge To Gautam Navlakha’s Bail

30/04/2024

Live Law / by Gyanvi Khanna

The Supreme Court (on April 30), while hearing National Investigative Agency’s challenge against the Bombay High Court order granting bail to Bhima Koregaon-accused Gautam Navlakha, orally said that the trial “may not be over for another ten years.”
This was after the Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, appearing for Navlakha, informed the Court that there were 375 witnesses in the case.
Read more


SC defers NIA appeal against Bombay HC’s bail to Gautam Navlakha to May 7

30/04/2024

The New Indian Express / by Suchitra Kalyan Mohanty

The hearing was adjourned as Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the National Investigation Agency, was unavailable to argue in the matter before it.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned the NIA’s appeal challenging a Bombay High Court order granting bail to human rights activist and journalist Gautam Navlakha, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, to May 7.
Read more


Also read:
Stay on bail for long period affects personal liberty and rights, feel experts (The Indian Express / April 2024)
‘Ominous portents’: Why High Court staying its own bail orders in Bhima Koregaon case is troubling (Scroll.in / Dec 2023)
Bombay High Court grants, stays bail to Gautam Navlakha (The Leaflet / Dec 2023)

HC grants bail to Sagar Gorkhe to attend brother’s wedding

HC grants bail to Sagar Gorkhe to attend brother’s wedding

Sagar Gorkha, Ramesh Gaichor. Poster by #bakeryprasad

Hindustan Times / by Sahyaja MS

The cultural activist and member of Kabir Kala Manch is set to be released from Taloja Central Jail on May 1. He must return to the prison by May 4
The Bombay high court has granted temporary bail to Sagar Tatyaram Gorkhe, an accused in the Bhima-Koregaon conspiracy case, to attend his brother’s wedding in Pune. The cultural activist and member of Kabir Kala Manch is set to be released from Taloja Central Jail on May 1. He must return to the prison by May 4 and would be escorted by police personnel in the interim period.
Read more


Also read/watch:
Hunger Strike unto death against the harassment from Taloja Central Jail’s apathetic administration (By Sagar Gorkhe / May 20, 2022)
Kabir Kala Manch: A History of Revolutionary Singing and State Repression (ritimo / April 2022)
Video: Dafachya Talavar (Songs of Defiance) – A short documentary on Kabir Kala Manch | Hindi, Marthi (subtitles: English) | 24:01min | 2022

Compensate Arun Ferreira for not forwarding his letter from jail to mother on Stan Swamy: MSHRC

Compensate Arun Ferreira for not forwarding his letter from jail to mother on Stan Swamy: MSHRC

Compensate Elgaar Parishad accused Arun Ferreira for not forwarding his letter from jail to mother on Stan Swamy: Human rights panel

26/04/2024

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission has asked the prison department to educate its officers on prison rules to censor inmates’ letters.
The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has directed the home department to pay a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to lawyer and Elgaar Parishad case accused Arun Ferreira for violating his fundamental rights as a prisoner by not forwarding his letter on Father Stan Swamy to his mother.
Read more


Maharashtra officials told to pay activist Rs 2 lakh for blocking letter from jail to mother

25/04/2024

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

Arun Ferreira’s letter described his relationship with his co-accused in the Bhima Koregaon case Stan Swamy, who died in custody in 2021.
The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission has asked the state government and the superintendent of the Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai to pay compensation of Rs 2 lakh to activist Arun Ferreira for failing to send to his mother a letter he had written to her.
Read more


Also read:
Caged birds and prison songs: In chorus, Stan Swamy and the Bhima Koregaon accused kept hope alive (Scroll.in | by Vernon Gonsalves | Jul 2023)
How the system broke Stan Swamy: A cell mate recalls the activist’s last days in prison (Scroll.in | by Arun Ferreira | Aug 2021)

Former professor Shoma Sen released from prison

Former professor Shoma Sen released from prison

by Nihalsing / @Nihalsingrathod (April 17):
#shomasen released


by Sushmita / @Sushmitav1 (April 17):
Prof Shoma Sen, accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, arrested in the first round of arrests in June 2018, finally gets bail. Hope truth will prevail and all accused falsely incarcerated will be released soon!


Former professor Shoma Sen released from prison

17/04/2024

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

On April 5, the Supreme Court had observed that the allegations of terrorism against Sen were prima facie untrue.
Former Nagpur University professor Shoma Sen was released from jail on Wednesday, days after she was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the Bhima Koregaon case. She had been in jail since June 6, 2018.
Sen’s lawyer, Indira Jaising, confirmed her release on X.
Read more


by Indira Jaising @Ijaising (April 17)
She is finally out , Shoma Sen wit her daughter outside Byculla jail


Former Nagpur University professor Shoma Sen walks out of prison

17/04/2024

The Hindu / by The Hindu Bureau

On April 5, the Supreme Court had observed that the accusations of terrorism against Shoma Sen were prima facie untrue and granted her bail
The former Nagpur University professor Shoma Sen walked out from Byculla Jail on Wednesday. She was received by her daughter and a photograph of Sen’s reunion with her family was shared by lawyer, advocate Indira Jaising on X (previously Twitter) saying, “She is finally out. Shoma Sen with her daughter outside Byculla Jail.”
Read more


by CPIML Liberation / @cpimlliberation (April 17):
#FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners | Shoma Sen is out of jail after more than six years of unjust incarceration. Bhima Koregaon, 2018 saw planned attack on Dalits, as they gathered to uphold fight of the oppressed castes against Brahminical hegemony, by right wing groups close to BJP. While known masterminds of the anti Dalit attacks roam free under today’s Manuvadi regime, civil rights activists face persecution under UAPA.


Also read:
Explained: The Shoma Sen bail judgment (The Leaflet / April 2024)

Stay on bail for long period affects personal liberty and rights, feel experts / Status of the accused in BK case

Stay on bail for long period affects personal liberty and rights, feel experts / Status of the accused in BK case

Poster by #bakeryprasad

Stay on bail for long period affects personal liberty and rights, feel experts

09/04/2024

The Indian Express / by Sadaf Modak

Elgaar Parishad case accused Mahesh Raut and Gautam Navlakha remain in jail for over four months since grant of bail by the Bombay High Court.
The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to activist and Nagpur University professor Shoma Sen, arrested six years ago in the Elgaar Parishad case. Two of her co-accused Mahesh Raut and Gautam Navlakha who were granted bail six and four months ago, respectively, by the Bombay High Court, continue to remain in jail awaiting their bail hearings in the SC which has stayed their release till it hears appeals against their bail.
Read more


By @apeksha_9 (April 5):
Revolutionary Salutes to Prof. Shoma Sen! Free All the Activists wrongfully incarcerated in the Bhima Koregaon case. Repeal UAPA.

As Shoma Sen gets bail, what is the status of other accused in Elgaar Parishad case?

05/04/2024

The Indian Express / by Sadaf Modak, Omkar Gokhale

Eight accused, including prominent activists, lawyers, and academics, have now been given bail. Two of them are yet to be released from custody. The case dates back to the beginning of 2018, but the trial is yet to commence
… Among the 16 individuals arrested in the case, one – Father Stan Swamy, an 84-year-old-priest and tribal rights activist based in Jharkhand – passed away in custody in July 2021.
Before Sen, seven other accused have been given bail. Two of these eight accused, however, are yet to be released from custody because the NIA has appealed the High Court’s bail orders in the SC.
Read more


Thread by BehanBox / @BehanBox (Apr 5):

(1/5) Today the Supreme Court granted bail to women’s rights activist #ShomaSen, accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, in the #BhimaKoregaon violence case. #bhimakoregaon

(5/5) 8 of the activists, namely Jyoti Jagtap, Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor, Mahesh Raut, Surendra Gadling, Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson and Hany Babu, continue to languish in prison without trial.


Bhima Koregaon: The process continues to clot as punishment as another year passes by

01/01/2024

The Leaflet / Arif Ayaz Parrey, Sarah Thanawala

Many of the accused in the Bhima Koregaon–Elgar Parishad case have now spent one more year incarcerated without a trial. A far cry from the verbiage of high judicial officials that even a day’s denial of liberty is too much.
… Here is a recap of the major developments in the case this year, of bail applications granted, stayed and pending; the consistent pleas for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to comply with the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973; and the courts heeding to medical conditions-related pleas of the accused.
Read more


Also read:
‘Ominous portents’: Why High Court staying its own bail orders in Bhima Koregaon case is troubling (Scroll.in / Dec 2023)