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Mumbai: Release the Bhima Koregaon Prisoners

Mumbai: Release the Bhima Koregaon Prisoners

By Dr Meena Kandasamy (Oct 1)
Rama Ambedkar at a gathering in Bombay today demanding release of #BhimaKoregaon prisoners. She spoke on the sudden change in the media narrative of the BK riots in 2018 and the conspiracy that ensued culminating in the arrest of Anand Teltumbde and 15 others.

Switzerland: Petition demands immediate release of political prisoners in India

Switzerland: Petition demands immediate release of political prisoners in India

Berne; Oct 1, 2021 (Pic credits: Solifonds)

By SOLIFONDS and the Women’s Rights Group Zurich of Amnesty International Switzerland

Today, Friday 1 October, SOLIFONDS and the Women’s Rights Group Zurich of Amnesty International Switzerland handed over several hundred signatures for a petition for the release of political prisoners (BK16) to the Indian Embassy in Berne, Switzerland. However, no one from the embassy was willing to receive the petition.

Indian trade unionist and lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj has been in prison for over three years – without evidence and without a trial. Sudha Bharadwaj is also known in Switzerland because she struggled for the direct employment of contract workers at the Swiss cement company Holcim in India, as ruled by law. She and 15 other human rights defenders, intellectuals, lawyers and cultural workers were accused of being involved in the violence at Bhima Koregaon and of planning a conspiracy against the government. Forged documents, which forensic investigations revealed had been smuggled into the computers of accused persons by hackers, serve as “evidence”. A trial has not yet taken place.

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When Can an Accused in Jail Get Medical Bail? Is it Possible in UAPA Cases?

When Can an Accused in Jail Get Medical Bail? Is it Possible in UAPA Cases?

The Quint / by Vakasha Sachdev

Nearly all Bhima Koregaon accused have been denied medical bail despite serious ailments. Here’s what the law says.
On 24 September, the Bombay High Court will consider whether to extend the bail granted by it to poet and activist Varavara Rao on medical grounds, back in February.
81-year-old Rao had been granted medical bail for six months by the court in view of various medical problems that had kept requiring hospitalisation and repeated deteriorations in his condition every time he was sent back to jail.
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Video: BK16 and the Incarceration of Justice / Film spotlights ‘price’ paid by Bhima Koregaon 16

Video: BK16 and the Incarceration of Justice / Film spotlights ‘price’ paid by Bhima Koregaon 16

Video: BK16 and the Incarceration of Justice

18/09/2021


en | 13 min | 2021

By Karawan e Mohabbat

Tune in to find out who are #bk16 and why the state has left no stone unturned to charge them under the draconian #UAPA laws.
Watch video (08:00-22:01)


Film spotlights ‘price’ paid by Bhima Koregaon 16

18/09/2021

The Telegraph / by Pheroze L. Vincent

Produced by the Delhi-based NGO Karwan-e-Mohabbat, the 13-minute film edited and narrated by Anam Sheikh starts with the funeral service of the 84-year-old Father Stan.
At the beginning, Father Stan Swamy appears on screen to say that what is happening to him is not happening to him alone. The film ends with the Jesuit declaring he is “ready to pay the price, whatever it may be”.
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Human chain formed in Tamil Nadu seeking release of prisoners in Bhima Koregaon case (pictures)

Human chain formed in Tamil Nadu seeking release of prisoners in Bhima Koregaon case (pictures)

Human chain formed in Tamil Nadu seeking release of prisoners in Bhima Koregaon case

15/09/2021

The Hindu / by Staff Reporter

‘It is a protest against stifling of all voices for democratic rights’
The arrest of thinkers, social activits and writers in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case is not just a blantant violation of human rights, but a threat to intellectuals who speak against Hindutva forces, said Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan on Wednesday.
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Activists Form Human Chains to Demand Release of Bhima-Koregaon Detainees

15/09/2021

Newsclick / by Neelambaran A

Left, youth, Dalit and human rights organisations in Tamil Nadu slam the BJP government for muzzling dissent.
More than 25 Left, youth, Dalit and human rights organisations in Tamil Nadu formed human chains on the International Day of Democracy on Wednesday to protest the illegal detention of intellectuals and activists, including in the Bhima-Koregaon case, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
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Also read:
95% pendency of trial of UAPA cases, 85% cases pending investigation: NCRB report (Sabrang / Sep 16, 2021)

Anyone who exposes the agenda of Sangh Parivar is silenced: Thirumavalavan (The Hindu / Sep 15)


In pictures

Pictures shared by Era.Athiyamaan / @EraAthiyamaan

Pictures shared by CPI (M) / @cpimspeak

Pictures shared by SimpliCityCoimbatore / @simplicitycbe

Release Bhima-Koregaon Prosoners Immediately – Release All Political Prisoners

Podcast: The unravelling of a conspiracy: were the 16 charged with plotting to kill India’s prime minister framed? 

Podcast: The unravelling of a conspiracy: were the 16 charged with plotting to kill India’s prime minister framed? 


en | 35min | 2021

The Guardian / by Siddhartha Deb

In 2018, Indian police claimed to have uncovered a shocking plan to bring down the government. But there is mounting evidence that the initial conspiracy was a fiction – and the accused are victims of an elaborate plot.
Listen to the podcast

The Legal Battle of Bhima Koregaon: The story so far

The Legal Battle of Bhima Koregaon: The story so far

Bar & Bench / by Neha Joshi

The Special NIA Court has listed the pending applications on September 6, 2021
On July 5, 2021, 83-year-old activist and priest Father Stan Swamy passed away in a Mumbai private hospital while in judicial custody for his alleged involvement in the riots that took place in Bhima Koregaon post the Elgar Parishad event held on January 2018.
His death highlighted the state of undertrials in the Bhima Koregaon case, most of whom have been awaiting trial for the past three years.
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Petition: Open an Investigation into NetWire attack on the computers of the Bhima Koregaon arrestees!

Petition: Open an Investigation into NetWire attack on the computers of the Bhima Koregaon arrestees!

India Civil Watch / By NET ALERT

To: Parliamentary Subcommittee on Information Technology
We, the undersigned, demand that the parliamentary subcommittee on Information Technology open an investigation into the NetWire attack on the computers of the Bhima-Koregaon arrestees. There is overwhelming evidence that a malware attack took place. One of the world’s leading digital forensic investigation agencies, Arsenal Consulting, has conducted a thorough investigation and brought to light crucial evidence confirming the attack and the planting of incriminating documents on the hard drives of the Bhima-Koregaon arrestees. Independent experts have verified Arsenal’s findings.
Read more /sign petition

What NIA draft charges submitted in court say, against whom

What NIA draft charges submitted in court say, against whom

What NIA draft charges submitted in court say, against whom

25/08/2021

The Indian Express / by Sadaf Modak

The NIA has proposed to charge all the accused under 16 sections of the law. Charges under some additional sections have been proposed against some accused in accordance with the specific roles that they are alleged to have played.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted draft charges before a special court in Mumbai against 15 arrested accused and six absconding accused in the Elgar Parishad case.
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NIA Submits Draft Charges in Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad Case: Read Details

23/08/2021

Live Law / by Sharmeen Hakim

The NIA Draft Charges find mention of a common objective to establish ‘People’s Government’ through revolution & protracted arms struggle and an attempt to cause the death of a public functionary.
The National Investigation Agency submitted a list of seventeen draft (proposed) charges against the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad Case accused, including the charge of waging a war against the country, which is punishable with death.
The draft charges don’t mention a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as claimed in 2018 but mention “cause the death of a public functionary.”
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Seventeen proposed charges by NIA against accused

22/08/2021

Bar & Bench / by Neha Joshi

The January 2018 FIR registered after the alleged riots post the ’Elgar Parishad’ event forms the basis of the entire Bhima Koregaon case which led to arrest of 16 accused, and the 3 chargesheets.
Fifteen of the accused in the case are in judicial custody while five are absconding. One accused, Father Stan Swamy passed away while in custody.
The charges state that the accused (including Swamy) were active members of a banned terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) even prior to 2018.
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Also read: Bhima Koregaon Accused Approach Bombay High Court To Stay Trial Till Clone Copies of Electronic Evidence Is Provided (Live Law, Aug 20)

Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha move Bombay HC for clone copies of devices seized

Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha move Bombay HC for clone copies of devices seized

Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha move Bombay HC for clone copies of devices seized

20/08/2021

Bar and Bench / by Neha Joshi

The accused moved the High court challenging an order of the Special NIA Court refusing their application for cloned copies of the data seized by the NIA.
Bhima Koregaon accused Sudha Bharadwaj and Gautam Navlakha have approached the Bombay High Court seeking clone copies of all devices seized from them by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
NIA had submitted draft charges and the special court has kept the matter for framing of charges on August 23, 2021.
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Accused Approach Bombay HC To Stay Trial Till Clone Copies of Electronic Evidence Is Provided

20/08/2021

Live Law / by Sharmeen Hakim

Accused in the Bhima Koregaon – Elgar Parishad Case have approached the Bombay High Court to stay the trial or defer the framing of charges until clone copies of all the electronic devices seized are provided to the defence.
Accused Sudha Bharadwaj and journalist Gautam Navalakha have sought HC’s indulgence after the National Investigation Agency submitted the draft charges before the Special NIA Court against the 15 accused on August 9.
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