Posts – Page 72 – free them all

Gautam Navlakha withdraws plea seeking transfer from Mumbai / Allowed to speak with daughter on phone

15/02/2023 Asha

Gautam Navlakha withdraws application seeking to move location of house arrest from Mumbai to Delhi

18/02/2023

The Leaflet / by Sarah Thanawala

Withdrawing the application that sought his transfer from Mumbai to Delhi, Navlakha will now seek another place in Mumbai.
On Friday, a division bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices K.M. Joseph and B.V. Nagarathna, allowed the withdrawal of the application filed by Gautam Navlakha for the transfer of his place of house arrest from Mumbai to Delhi.
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Gautam Navlakha Withdraws Application In Supreme Court Seeking Transfer From Mumbai To Delhi

17/02/2023

Live Law / by Rintu Mariam Biju

Gautam Navlakha, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, on Friday withdrew his application filed in Supreme Court seeking permission to remain in house-arrest in Delhi instead of Mumbai.
When the matter was called up first, an advocate assisting Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought a pass over.
“…You understood what you were getting into when you are in Bombay. You accepted it, now you want a change?”, the Division Bench comprising of KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna asked, turning to the petitioner.
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Navlakha allowed to speak with daughter for 10 minutes on phone

15/02/2023

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

Navlakha had filed a plea seeking to speak with his daughter, a resident of Spain. Navlakha, an accused in the Elgaar Parishad case, has been under home arrest since last November in Navi Mumbai, following orders of the Supreme Court.
A special court in Mumbai on Tuesday granted activist-journalist Gautam Navlakha permission to speak with his daughter for 10 minutes on the phone of a police personnel.
Read more

Also read:
● Explainer: As activist Gautam Navlakha is allowed house arrest, what does this actually involve? (Scroll.in / Nov 2022)
● Stop Denying Political Prisoners the Right to Healthcare in Jails (PUDR / Sep 2022)
● All I ask is an hour to breathe in fresh air, soak in sun, rights activist Gautam Navlakha in plea (Free Press Journal / Dec 2021)

Appeal for Contributions to Stan Swamy Fellowship

14/02/2023 Asha

by Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha / @JharkhandJanad1 (Feb 14, 2023):
Johar!
Stan Swamy’s friends are initiating a fellowship in his name to keep his memory alive & to continue his work to defend human rights. We appeal to all friends & well-wishers to contribute to the Father Stan Swamy Fellowship for Human Rights Defenders.

Also read:
● I am not a silent spectator – An autobiographical fragment, memory and reflection (Indian Social Institute | By Stan Swamy | 2021)

Publisher: Indian Social Institute
First published in 2021
140 pages
Download pdf

Cop who received village ‘bandh’ letter deposes before Koregaon Bhima panel

11/02/2023 Asha

The Indian Express / by Chandan Haygunde

Dattatraya Hole is being examined before the commission in connection with the Koregaon Bhima village “bandh” letter he had received from a gram panchayat staffer while performing his duty at the Shikrapur police station on December 31, 2017.
Head constable Dattatraya Hole of the Pune rural police deposed as a witness before the Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry on Friday.
The two-member commission, headed by retired judge Justice J N Patel, is probing into the causes of violence in Koregaon Bhima area on January 1, 2018, causing the death of one person and injuries to several others.
Read more

Also Read:
● Top Investigating Officer Admits Elgar Parishad Event ‘Had No Role’ in Bhima Koregaon Violence (The Wire / Dec 27, 2022)
● Saffron Conspiracy in Bhima Koregaon? – Fact finding report by Rashtra Seva Dal unearths insidious scheme to target Dalits (CJP / Jan 2018)

Anybody dissenting will be treated in this manner: Father Frazer Mascarenhas

09/02/2023 Asha

Rediff.com / by Neeta Kolhatkar

In November 2021, the Bombay High Court allowed Father (Dr) Frazer Mascarenhas, SJ, to approach the court to clear the name of Father Stan Swamy, the oldest of the 16 Bhima Koregaon accused, who died in hospital in July 2021 …
Known to speak freely and stand by his principles, Father Frazer, who is now the parish priest at a Mumbai church, tells Rediff.com Senior Contributor Neeta Kolhatkar, “It seems to be a culture now. Anybody dissenting will be treated in this manner. No human rights… It is not limited to any one political party. The evidence shows that a group of political parties seem to be using this in an extensive and deliberate manner.”

The first of a two-part interview
Read more

Also read:
● Fabricating Evidence Against Life and Liberty: Tampering with Fr. Stan Swamy’s computer and its implications for Bhima Koregaon case (Mumbai Rises to Save Democracy / Dec 2022)

Podcast: Elgar Parishad case defies logic, creates perpetual sense of disbelief

08/02/2023 Asha

en | 38:57min | 2023

By All Indians Matter

The Elgar Parishad case, in which several activists have been accused of making speeches that led to violence in Bhima Koregaon near Pune in 2018, drags on. Dalit scholar Anand Teltumbde, lawyer-activist Sudha Bhardwaj and poet Varavara Rao have got bail, but only after spending years in prison. But others, such as Vernon Gonsalves, continue to languish behind bars.
Eighty-four-year-old Jharkhand-based tribal rights activist Father Stan Swamy, meanwhile, died in custody on July 5, 2021. What does this case tell us about human rights in India and about the effectiveness – or lack of it – of the judiciary?
Susan Abraham – a lawyer who’s been at the forefront of the legal battle, human right activist and wife of Vernon Gonsalves – speaks to All Indians Matter.

Listen to the podcast

Also read:
● Why the letter about a ‘Rajiv Gandhi-type’ assassination plot to kill Modi is fake (dailyo | by Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves | Jan 30, 2018)
● Why peoples’ coalitions are uniting against Hindutva — the ‘new Peshwai’ (dailyo | by Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves | Jan 30, 2018)

SC to hear bail pleas of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira on Feb 13 / ‘We’re Conscious It Is A Matter Of Personal Liberty’

08/02/2023 Asha

‘We’re Conscious It Is A Matter Of Personal Liberty’: Supreme Court After Adjourning Bail Pleas Of Bhima Koregaon Accused At NIA’s Request

08/02/2023

Live Law / by Anurag Tiwari

The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, at the request of National Investigation Agency (NIA), again adjourned the hearing of the bail applications of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, two of the accused persons in the Bhima Koregaon case, to Monday.
Senior Advocate Rebecca John, appearing for one of petitioners, submitted before the bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sudhanshu Dhulia, “I hope they (NIA) won’t take further adjournment. Because it is a matter of personal liberty”.
Read more

Thread by Bar & Bench (Feb 8):

++ The Supreme Court to shortly hear bail pleas of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence case.
Matter before Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sudhanshu Dhulia. ++
++ Counsel: SG is leading us, he is in another court.
Sr Adv Rebecca John: They had sought adjournment earlier as well.
Justice Bose: We will take it tomorrow.
Justice Dhulia: You can argue, what was the case you were relying on?
John: It is in volume … ++
++ SC: We do not have it.
John takes court through Anand Teltumbde medical bail order.
Bench does not have the copy it says.
SC: Call Mr Raju
Adv: He is not available. Next week?
SC: No ma’am, at most time till Friday.
Bench discusses ++
++ Sr Adv R Basant: 4 and a half years in custody.
Justice Bose to NIA counsel: You prepare yourself. Monday.
John: My lords have the compilation? I hope they do not take further adjournments. Only because it involves personal liberty.
Justice Dhulia: We … ++
++ Justice Dhulia: cannot give injunction (smiles). You can object then.
Justice Bose: We are conscious (that it involves personal liberty).

Also read:
● Supreme Court adjourns bail pleas of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira at the request of NIA (The Leaflet / Feb 6, 2023)
● Will the bail granted to Anand Teltumbde help others in the Bhima Koregaon case to get out of jail? (Scroll.in / Nov 2022)

Accused In Custody For 5 Years: Supreme Court Points Out To NIA While Hearing Bail Applications

06/02/2023 Asha

‘Accused In Custody For 5 Years’: Supreme Court Points Out To NIA While Hearing Bail Applications

06/02/2023

Live Law / by Live Law News Network

The Supreme Court, on Monday, at the request of National Investigation Agency (NIA), directed the hearing of the bail applications of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, two of the accused persons in the Bhima Koregaon case, to be deferred to a Non-Miscellaneous day (Wednesday).
A Bench comprising Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia was hearing the bail applications of Gonsalves and a co-accused, Ferreira, who were arrested for alleged links with the 2018 caste-based violence that broke out at Bhima Koregaon in Pune, as well as with far-left militants.
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Supreme Court adjourns bail pleas of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira at the request of NIA

06/02/2023

The Leaflet / by Sarah Thanawala

The matter is posted to be heard on February 8.
On Monday, a division bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sudhanshu Dhulia, at the request of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), adjourned the hearing of the bail pleas of trade unionist, activist and academic Vernon Gonsalves, and activist and lawyer Arun Ferreira. Gonsalves and Ferreira have filed bail applications in the Supreme Court challenging the order of the Bombay High Court dated October 15, 2019 rejecting their bail pleas.
Read more

Thread by Bar & Bench (Feb 6):
++ #SupremeCourt is hearing bail applications of activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira in the Bhima Koregaon case
Adv Kanu Agarwal: 2 bails in UAPA case. ASG is in another court It will take sometime. We have filed the counter affidavits. ++
++ SC: Somebody is in custody for 5 years. What harm will be caused if he is released on bail with conditions? What is there in counter affidavit ? We have read it
Adv Agarwal: delay in trial cannot be attributed to NIA. There are serious charges of membership etc ++
++ Sr Adv Rebecca John: trial was also underwent for 5 years.. material pertaining to this case is the same in other cases where I was acquitted..
SC: This may make your case a little different
SC: List on Next Wednesday for hearing ++

Also read:
● Vernon Gonsalves cites Arsenal report to seek discharge (Free Press Journal / Jan 5, 2023)
● Will the bail granted to Anand Teltumbde help others in the Bhima Koregaon case to get out of jail? (Scroll.in / Nov 2022)
● Bombay High Court rejects default bail plea of Varavara Rao and seven other accused (The Leaflet / May 2022)
● HC disposes plea of eight accused seeking rectification in order denying them bail (Scroll.in / Dec 2021)

Maharashtra: Top Cop Accuses Decades-Old Cultural, Rights Orgs of Working as ‘Naxal Fronts’

02/02/2023 Asha

The Wire / by Sukanya Shantha

At the recent police conference attended by PM Modi, Gadchiroli DIGP Sandip B. Patil claimed in a paper that 15 cultural and rights organisations are actually “active frontal organisations of Naxals.” Behind this claim is little evidence.
In 2017, the artiste couple Shital Sathe and Sachin Mali publicly announced their decision to split from the cultural outfit, Kabir Kala Manch (KKM) after 15 years of association.
Read more

Also read:
● UAPA – CRIMINALISING DISSENT AND STATE TERROR – Study of UAPA Abuse in India, 2009-2022 (PUCL / Sep 2022)
● Kabir Kala Manch: A History of Revolutionary Singing and State Repression (ritimo / April 2022)
● The Security Playbook Used To Erode Democracy In Modi’s India & How The Tide Might Turn (article 14 / March 2022)
● Maharashtra: Activists, Lawyers Added to ‘Union War Book’, Listed as ‘Enemies of the State’ (The Wire / Jul 2021)
● From ‘tukde tukde gang’ to ‘urban Naxal’: How media trials enable the government to stifle dissent (Scroll.in / Sep 2018)

Shoma Sen files discharge plea / Targeted for activism, says Shoma Sen seeking clean chit

01/02/2023 Asha

Shoma Sen files discharge plea in court

01/02/2023

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

Shoma Sen said in her discharge application that the “incriminating” evidence claimed to have been seized from her deals with information on social movements, all of which can be found in public domain.
… Meanwhile, the court on Tuesday heard the discharge application of activist Vernon Gonsalves. During the arguments, Gonsalves said that the accused in the case had not received some of the cloned copies presented by the NIA as evidence. … The co-accused in the case, lawyers Surendra Gadling and Arun Ferreira, informed the court that they had previously too sought cloned copies but have not received all.
Read more

Targeted for activism, says Shoma Sen seeking clean chit

01/02/2023

The Free Press Journal / by Staff Reporter

Professor Shoma Sen, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case, on Tuesday filed a plea for getting a clean chit in the case. She claimed she has been falsely implicated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for her active role in the sphere of activism for human rights, Dalits and the marginalised sections of society.
Read more

Also read:
● Bombay HC asks Elgar Parishad accused Prof Shoma Sen to first approach trial court for bail (India Today / Jan 17, 2023)

Supreme Court Adjourns Hearing On Bail Plea Of Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira

01/02/2023 Asha

Supreme Court Adjourns Hearing On Bail Plea Of Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira

01/02/2023

The National Bulletin / by TNB Bureau

The hearing in the Supreme Court has been postponed in the case of bail of accused Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira in the Bhima Koregaon case. The next hearing of this matter will be on 6 February. The Supreme Court said that further hearing of the case will not be postponed. Earlier on August 18, 2022, the Supreme Court had asked the special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to frame charges against accused Vernon Gonsalves within three months.
Read more

Thread by Live Law / @LiveLawIndia (Feb 1, 2023):
++ Supreme Court to hear bail pleas of Bhima Koregaon Case Accused Varun Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira. ++
++ Report from the last hearing++
++ Matter before bench of Justices MR Shah and Sudhanshu Dhulia ++
++ Bench to shortly start hearing the bail plea. ++
++ Letter circulated in the matter. ++
++ Justice Shah – We will keep it on next Monday. No further adjournments. ++

Also read:
● Supreme Court division bench led by Justice Aniruddha Bose to hear bail pleas of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira (The Leaflet / Jan 16, 2023)