Times of India / by TOI
An accused in the Elgar Parishad case, Arun Ferreira, has moved a plea before the special NIA court seeking reasonable quantity of usable water in jail.
Read more
30/04/2022
The Leaflet / by Sabah Gurmat
After the youngest accused in the Bhima Koregaon (Elgar Parishad) case, Jyoti Jagtap of the Kabir Kala Manch [KKM] filed an application on Wednesday seeking discharge, more accused have approached the National Investigation Agency [NIA]’s special court seeking discharge from all the charges imposed against them in the 2018 case.
Among the other accused, scholar, writer and activist Anand Teltumbde, activist Mahesh Raut, and activist and publisher Sudhir Dhawale sought discharge from charges in the Bhima Koregaon violence case.
Read more
29/04/2022
India Today / by Vidya
Three more accused have filed discharge applications in the Elgar Parishad case ahead of the framing of charges.
Three more accused have filed applications seeking discharge ahead of the framing of charges against them in the Elgar Parishad case. Accused professor Anand Teltumbde, Dalit scholar Sudhir Dhawale and activist Mahesh Raut have filed the applications. The Special Court under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act will now be hearing the four discharge applications, including that of Jyoti Jagtap.
Read more
28/04/2022
The New Indian Express / by pti
Activist Anand Teltumbde, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist link case, on Thursday moved a discharge application before the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court here, stating that the probe agency has not produced any material to show that he is a member of CPI (Maoist) or his alleged role in the case.
… Besides Teltumbe, other accused Sudhir Dawale and Mahesh Raut also sought discharge from the case.
Read more
28/04/2022
Free Press Journal / by Staff Reporter
Regarding an allegation of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that he is a member of the banned organization, he has pointed out that a witness cited by the NIA in its supplementary charge sheet had mentioned a book authored by him titled ‘Anti-Imperialism and Annihilation of Caste’.
Professor and Dalit scholar Anand Teltumbde accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case has sought a discharge from the case, stating in his plea that the investigating agency has not produced any material before the court to show that he is a member of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).
Read more
28/04/2022
The Indian Express / by Express News Service
Special judge Dinesh E Kothalikar said the Bombay High Court has directed that the case be proceeded with on a daily basis and that he expects cooperation from both parties so that charges can be framed.
In the Elgaar Parishad case, accused Jyoti Jagtap filed a discharge application on Wednesday, while five others also sought to file discharge pleas on Thursday before the special court. The court had directed all accused to remain present before the court on Wednesday to proceed with framing of charges against them.
Read more
Also read:
● Charges to be framed next week, all accused asked to remain present in court (The Indian Express / April 2022)
● NIA files draft charges against accused in Elgar Parishad case (India Today / Aug 2021)
28/04/2022
The Indian Express / by Express News Service
Special judge Dinesh E Kothalikar said the Bombay High Court has directed that the case be proceeded with on a daily basis and that he expects cooperation from both parties so that charges can be framed.
In the Elgaar Parishad case, accused Jyoti Jagtap filed a discharge application on Wednesday, while five others also sought to file discharge pleas on Thursday before the special court. The court had directed all accused to remain present before the court on Wednesday to proceed with framing of charges against them.
Read more
27/04/2022
Hindustan Times / by Charul Shah
The Elgaar Parishad was an event held on December 31, 2017, in Pune’s Shaniwar Wada to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima. It had approximately 35,000 people in attendance.
Jyoti Jagtap, arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for her purported involvement in the Elgar Parishad case, on Wednesday filed for discharge citing a lack of evidence against her.
Read more
27/04/2022
Bar & Bench / by Neha Joshi
Jagtap was arrested on September 8, 2020 and a chargesheet was filed in October 9, 2020.
Kabir Kala Manch (KKM) member and youngest accused in the Bhima Koregaon case Jyoti Jagtap has filed an application before the Special Court seeking discharge from all charges in the 2018 case.
Read more
Also read:
● Kabir Kala Manch: A History of Revolutionary Singing and State Repression (ritimo / April 2022)
● NIA files draft charges against accused in Elgar Parishad case (India Today / Aug 2021)
28/04/2022
The Indian Express / by Chandan Haygunde
The commission had earlier summoned Pawar to depose as a witness on February 23 and February 24. But on February 21, he sought adjournment of his hearing as he wanted more time for filing an additional affidavit with detailed information and it was granted.
… After the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, including the NCP, came to power in the state, Pawar held a press conference on February 18, 2020, and made allegations against right-wing leaders Milind Ekbote, Sambhahi Bhide and raised doubts about the role of the Pune city police in the investigation of Elgaar Parishad case.
Read more
28/04/2022
Bar & Bench / by Neha Joshi
Pawar also stated in his affidavit that responsible media can act as a bridge of communication between protesters and government/ police authorities and ease tensions and avoid misinformation.
Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which criminalises sedition, should be repealed because provisions under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) are sufficient to deal with offences against the nation and national security, the Member of Rajya Sabha and Chief of Nationalist Congress Party Sharad Pawar told Bhima Koregaon Inquiry Commission on Wednesday.
Read more
27/04/2022
The Indian Express / by Chandan Haygunde
Dhawale is among the persons arrested by the Pune City Police for their alleged links with the banned CPI-Maoist in the Elgaar Parishad case. The case has been taken over by the NIA.
IPS officer Ravindra Sengaonkar, who earlier deposed as a witness before the Koregaon Bhima Commission of Inquiry, was cross-examined on Tuesday on various points including an alleged provocative speech made by activist Sudhir Dhawale in Aurangabad, a week before the Elgaar Parishad.
Read more
Also read:
● Casting a Veil – What we miss by ignoring Maratha caste politics in the Bhima Koregaon case (The Caravan │ Dec 2020)
● Let’s Remember the Lesson of Bhima Koregaon: Down with the New Peshwai (Sanhati│ by Sudhir Dhawale │ March 2018)
27/04/2022
Bar & Bench / by Satyendra Wankhade
“During such terrible times, nothing more could have provided solace to a jail inmate than a book of his choice,” a Bench of Justices SB Shukre and GA Sanap said.
Jail authorities should have considered books as an essential commodity during COVID-19 pandemic, the Bombay High Court observed while dismissing a plea filed by Bhima Koregaon accused Gautam Navlakha requesting to be transferred to house arrest from jail [Gautam Navlakha v. National Investigation Agency & Anr.]
Read more
Read judgement
26/04/2022
The Indian Express / by Omkar Gokhale
A division bench of Justice Sunil B Shukre and Justice Govinda A Sanap also directed the Superintendent of Taloja central prison to ensure medical facilities are provided to the petitioner.
The Bombay High Court Tuesday dismissed a plea by Gautam Navlakha, an accused in the Elgaar Parishad case, seeking transfer from the Taloja Central Prison in Navi Mumbai to judicial custody in the form of house arrest, alleging denial of basic medical care and other necessities.
Read more
26/04/2022
The Times of India / by Swati Deshpande
The Bombay high court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed filed by activist Gautam Navlakha, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist link case, seeking that he be placed under house arrest instead of judicial custody in the Taloja Jail as it lacked basic facilities.
He had cited poor health and inadequate medical facilities and lack of basic necessities in prison, as grounds forseeking the shift.
Read more
26/04/2022
Live Law / by Sharmeen Hakim
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition by senior journalist Gautam Navlakha seeking to shifted out of Taloja Prison and be placed under house arrest, instead, in the Bhima Koregaon – Elgar Parishad Caste violence case.
A division bench of Justices Sunil Shukre and GA Sanap said that whatever grievances Navlakha had in prison could be placed before the trial court for appropriate action.
Read more
26/04/2022
Bar & Bench / by Neha Joshi
Navlakha was granted liberty to bring to the attention of the Special NIA Judge all difficulties faced by him, which the judge was directed to redress as per law.
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea filed by Bhima Koregaon accused Gautam Navlakha to be transferred from Taloja Prison and placed under house arrest instead.
Read more
26/04/2024
The Telegraph / by Animesh Bisoee
The Hindi version of the memoir, written by Ranchi-based Jesuit priest James Toppo, would be released on the occasion.
The birth anniversary of Father Stan Swamy would be observed with the installation of the Jesuit priest’s bust and release of two books at Bagaicha, a training and social action centre, in Namkum, Ranchi, on April 26.
Read more
hindi + en | 2h 57min | 2022
By Jamshedpur Jesuits
Unveiling of the Bust of Stan Swamy & Release of Three books
– The Memoirs of Stan Swamy (Hindi Translation)
– If Not Now, When?
– Fr Stan Swamy: A Maoist or a Martyr?
Watch video
26/04/2024
NewsClick / by John Dayal
Peaceful resistance was the cornerstone of Stan’s work, and that is why the state failed in breaking his spirit.
It may take time to get the Bombay High Court to clear Jesuit Father Stanislaus Lourduswamy’s name in the so-called Elgar Parishad case.
And it may take longer to get the Vatican machinery to launch the formal process to grant Sainthood to the 84-year-old priest, whose work among the Adivasis of central India and the poorest of the poor earned him the ire of mine-owners, state governments, and finally the central government.
Read more
By Kabir Kala Manch
1:58min | 2022
Watch video
Hindi, Marthi (subtitles: English) | 24:01min | 2022
This short documentary tries to trace the personal and collective journeys of artists of Kabir Kala Manch, a People’s cultural troupe consisting of youth from marginalized backgrounds, who sing songs of resistance in the Vidrohi Shahiri tradition. This film profiles these artists and their lived experiences in the context of an unjust and hostile system they are struggling against.
Watch video
Also read:
● Who are the three Kabir Kala Manch artistes arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case? (Scroll.in / Sep 2020)
26/04/2022
The Wire / by The Wire Staff
This is the third consecutive year when United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has designated India as such.
… The latest report, in a section devoted to India, has accused the Narendra Modi government of muzzling dissenting voices, misusing UAPA and sedition laws, allowing illegal arrests of rights’ activists, carrying out violent attacks against Muslims and Christians and creating “hurdles” for NGOs to receive funds from abroad for charity work.
It has also prominently discussed the arrest and custodial death of Father Stan Swamy.
Read more
25/04/2022
Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff
Other countries recommended for this designation by the USCIRF in its annual report are Pakistan, China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, among others.
… “The UAPA and sedition law have been invoked to create an increasing climate of intimidation and fear in an effort to silence anyone speaking out against the government,” it said.
The report specifically mentioned the treatment meted out to 84-year-old Stan Swamy, a Jesuit priest who was arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case.
Read more
Read full report
Youthkiawaaz / by Harsh
Established just a few months ago, Jharkhand Jan Sangharsh Morcha (JJSM) is currently acting as an umbrella for over two dozen provincial-local people’s organisations of Jharkhand to raise voices against injustice, exploitation, corruption and to resolve the public problems in the region …
“Father Stan Swamy, who was one of the founder members of Visthapan Virodhi Jan Vikas Andolan, lived for the Adivasi and moolnivasi communities of Jharkhand.
Taking inspiration from him, various people’s organisations have formed this front as a tribute to him to fulfil his dream of bringing all the movements of Jharkhand on one platform,” says Satyam, a social activist associated with the front.
Read more
23/04/2022
The Leaflet / by Sarah Thanawala
On Friday, the Bombay High Court’s division bench of justices Sunil B. Shukre and G.A. Sanap passed the reasoned order to extend the temporary bail, of poet-activist and Bhima Koregaon case accused P. Varavara Rao, by three months. The Court had earlier passed the initial order on April 13 to this effect.
The Court was hearing a batch of petitions filed by Rao, which prayed for modification of the High Court’s previous order releasing him on temporary medical bail on the condition that he wouldn’t leave the jurisdiction of Mumbai. Rao had prayed to the court to modify his temporary release into a permanent medical bail and to allow him to move to Hyderabad, where his family resides, as the cost of living in Mumbai was very high for him.
Read more
Read order
23/04/2022
Live Law / by Sharmeen Hakim
The Bombay High Court has issued certain directions for improving prison conditions and medical facilities therein, so that complaints of Bhima Koregaon accused Varavara Rao as well as those made by other prison inmates are addressed, and there is no scope for them to seek bail on those grounds in the future.
“If the strict view of the matter is not taken and appropriate directions are not issued to rectify the deficiencies, all the under-trial prisoners would make a grievance of the same and apply for bail,” their order refusing permanent bail on medical grounds to Rao.
Read more
23/04/2022
The Indian Express / by Express News Service
Senior advocate Anand Grover, representing Rao, who was arrested in August 2018, had contended that Varavara Rao’s condition was worsening due to Parkinson’s and his health is incompatible with the environment of Taloja central jail.
The Bombay High Court, while dismissing pleas filed by Elgaar Parishad case accused Varavara Rao, who had sought permanent medical bail and permission to shift to Hyderabad citing ill health and high expenses in Mumbai, has directed that corrective measures be adopted to improve conditions and medical facilities at state prisons.
Read more
23/04/2022
Live Law / by Sharmeen Hakim
Refusing to grant permanent bail on medical grounds to Bhima Koregaon – Elgar Parishad accused poet Varavara Rao the Bombay High Court said that prima facie observations regarding “seriousness and severity” of the crime he is accused of would remain till he is pronounced “not guilty.”
Therefore, based on Rao’s sound clinical summary dated December 15, 2021, and the allegations against him of being the “main conspirator,” he was not entitled to medial bail, the court held.
Read more