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Father Stan Swamy died of natural causes, Maharashtra government tells court

Father Stan Swamy died of natural causes, Maharashtra government tells court

Illustration by #bakeryprasad

Father Stan Swamy died of natural causes, Maharashtra government tells court

07/10/2025

India Today / by Vidya

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission found no foul play or medical negligence. The Bombay High Court is hearing a plea to clear his name, with further hearing on November 13.
The Maharashtra government on Monday submitted a magistrate’s enquiry report confirming that Father Stan Swamy’s death was due to natural causes. The report, prepared by Bandra Magistrate Komalsing Rajput following an enquiry on April 24, 2024, concluded that the 84-year-old activist, who was imprisoned in the Elgar Parishad case, died from “septicemia due to lobar pneumonia (natural).”
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‘Father Stan Swamy Died Natural Death, Was Provided Prompt Medical Treatment’: State Tells Bombay High Court

06/10/2025

Live Law / by Narsi Benwal

The Bombay High Court was informed on Monday that a mandatory Magisterial Inquiry report on Father Stan Swamy’s death was submitted before the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) earlier in May which concluded that he had died a ‘natural death.’
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Also read:
▪ NIA opposes plea to clear Stan Swamy’s name, says it would set wrong precedent (India Today / Sep 2025)
▪ I saw firsthand how callous prison officials and their negligence led to Stan Swamy’s death (Scroll.in | by Arun Ferreira | Jul 2025)
▪ Daring, Fearless and Kind, Father Stan Swamy Remains a Beacon of Resistance (The Wire | by Hany Babu, Jyoti Jagtap, Mahesh Raut, Ramesh Murlidhar Gaichor, Sagar Gorkhe, Surendra Gadling | Jul 2025)
▪ How the system broke Stan Swamy: A cell mate recalls the activist’s last days in prison (Scroll.in | by Arun Ferreira | Aug 2021)

Gautam Navlakha cites Mumbai costs draining savings, seeks virtual hearing

Gautam Navlakha cites Mumbai costs draining savings, seeks virtual hearing

Bail ! Gautam with his partner Sabha Husain. May 2024.

India Today / by Vidya

Bombay High Court has directed the NIA to respond to Gautam Navlakha’s plea seeking permission to reside in Delhi and attend court via video conferencing.
The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to respond to a petition filed by activist and Elgar Parishad case accused Gautam Navlakha seeking permission to reside in Delhi and attend court proceedings through video conferencing.
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Also read:
▪ Mumbai court denies Elgar Parishad case accused’s plea to visit Delhi (India Today / Aug 2025)
▪ Bhima Koregaon case: Court rejects activist Gautam Navlakha’s plea to live in Delhi (Scroll.in / Jun 2025)
▪ Navlakha files application in court seeking permission to stay in Delhi (The Indian Express / Apr 2025)
▪ Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon accused struggle to find house in city (Hindustan Times / Nov 2022)

Bombay High Court Reserves Order On Bail Plea Of Former DU Professor Hany Babu

Bombay High Court Reserves Order On Bail Plea Of Former DU Professor Hany Babu

Solidarity poster by @bakeryprasad

Bombay HC Reserves Order On Bail Plea Of Former DU Professor Hany Babu

04/10/2025

Free Press Journal / by Urvi Mahajan

The Bombay High Court on Friday reserved its order on the bail plea filed by former Delhi University professor Hany Babu, an accused in the Elgar Parishad–Maoist links case. A bench of Justices Ajey Gadkari and Ranjitsinha Bhonsale clarified that the order would not be on the merits of the case but on the question of the accused’s prolonged incarceration without trial.
The Bombay High Court on Friday reserved its order on the bail plea filed by former Delhi University professor Hany Babu, an accused in the Elgar Parishad–Maoist links case.
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Court to decide on professor Hany Babu’s bail, order reserved

03/10/2025

India Today / by Vidya

Senior advocate Yug Mohit Chaudhary, representing Hany Babu, mainly argued the plea on the ground of prolonged incarceration without trial. He pointed to other accused, such as Vernon Gonsalves, who had been granted bail by the Supreme Court on the same ground.
The Bombay High Court on Friday reserved its order on the bail plea of Delhi University English professor Hany Babu, who has been in prison for five years and two months in Pune’s Elgar Parishad case of 2018.
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Bombay High Court Reserves Order In Hany Babu’s Plea For Bail

03/10/2025

Live Law / by Narsi Benwal

The Bombay High Court on Friday closed for orders, the bail application filed by former Delhi University Professor Hany Babu, who has been booked for his alleged role in the Elgar Parishad – Bhima Koregaon case. A division bench of Justices Ajay Gadkari and Ranjitsinha Bhonsale closed the application filed by Babu, for orders.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Why Hany Babu Writes From Prison (The Wire / Jul 2025)
▪ SC Allows Hany Babu to Approach Trial or High Court For Bail (The Wire / Jul 2025)
▪ How Long is Too Long? On the Maximum Period that an Undertrial Prisoner can be Detained (Constitutional Law and Philosophy | by Hany Babu & Surendra Gadling | Oct 2024)
▪ Why the SC Judgment Granting Bail to Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira Is So Significant (The Wire / Jul 2023)

Bombay HC refuses to allow Anand Teltumbde to travel abroad for lectures

Bombay HC refuses to allow Anand Teltumbde to travel abroad for lectures

Bombay HC refuses to allow Bhima Koregaon accused Anand Teltumbde to travel abroad for lectures

01/10/2025

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

The National Investigation Agency had opposed the activist’s travel to Europe, raising concerns that he might abscond.
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused to allow writer and activist Anand Teltumbde, one of the 16 persons accused in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon case, to travel to Europe to deliver a series of lectures and seminars at universities, Live Law reported.
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Bombay High Court Refuses To Allow Dr Anand Teltumbde To Travel Abroad For Delivering Lecture

01/10/2025

Live Law / by Narsi Benwal

After the Bombay High Court on Wednesday expressed disinclination to permit rights’ activist Dr Anand Teltumbde to travel to Amsterdam and the United Kingdom for attending academic assignments, the accused in the Elgar Parishad – Bhima Koregaon case, withdrew his plea.
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Teltumbde withdraws foreign travel plea after HC shows reluctance

01/10/2025

Hindustan Times / by pti

Elgar case: Teltumbde withdraws foreign travel plea after HC shows reluctance
Mumbai, Academician Anand Teltumbde, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, on Wednesday withdrew his petition seeking permission to travel abroad to deliver lectures after the Bombay High Court expressed its disinclination to allow it.
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Also read:
▪ Anti-terror agency seeks to seize Anand Teltumbde’s passport (India Today / Sep 2025)
▪ NIA opposes Anand Teltumbde’s plea to travel abroad, cites risk of absconding (The Hindu / April 2025)
▪ Will the bail granted to Anand Teltumbde help others in the Bhima Koregaon case to get out of jail? (Scroll.in / Nov 2022)

NIA files plea to impound passports of Anand Teltumbde, Rona Wilson, Mahesh Raut, Gautam Navlakha, Hany Babu

NIA files plea to impound passports of Anand Teltumbde, Rona Wilson, Mahesh Raut, Gautam Navlakha, Hany Babu

Anti-terror agency seeks to seize Anand Teltumbde’s passport

30/09/2025

India Today / by Vidya

A total of 16 people were arrested in the Elgar Parishad case, which pertained to an event organised at Shaniwar Wada in Pune on the eve of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima on December 31, 2017.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed an application before a special court in Mumbai, seeking directions to impound the passports of Anand Teltumbde, Rona Wilson, Mahesh Raut, Gautam Navlakha, and Hany Babu — the five accused in the 2018 Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case.
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NIA files plea to impound passports of 5 accused in Elgaar case

30/09/2025

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

Special public prosecutor Prakash Shetty on Monday moved the plea citing provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a plea before the special court seeking directions to impound passports of five accused arrested in the Elgaar Parishad case. The court has directed the accused to file their replies.
… The court will likely hear the plea on October 9. The trial in the case is yet to begin.
Read more

Also read:
▪ NIA opposes Anand Teltumbde’s plea to travel abroad, cites risk of absconding (The Hindu / April 2025)
▪ Bhima-Koregaon case transferred to NIA to compromise independent probe: Front Line Defenders (Jan 2020)

Transfer of case to NIA | High Court questions Gadling’s plea, says accused can’t choose probe agency

Transfer of case to NIA | High Court questions Gadling’s plea, says accused can’t choose probe agency

Poster by #bakeryprasad

Hindustan Times / by Karuna Nidhi

On June 6, 2018, Gadling and Dhawale were arrested under stringent sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), for their alleged links with the Maoists and the conspiracy to incite violence in Bhima Koregaon
The Bombay High Court on Thursday questioned the maintainability of a petition filed by Bhima Koregaon conspiracy case accused Surendra Gadling and Sudhir Dhawale, contending the transfer of the case from the Pune police to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in January 2020 was politically motivated.
… The bench adjourned the matter for further hearing on October 9 after Talekar sought time to respond to the court’s query.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Why caste Hindutva, not an Elgar conspiracy, is at the root of the Bhima Koregaon violence (The Polis Project / Feb 2025)
▪ Surendra Gadling and Sudhir Dhawale Challenge Transfer of Elgar Parishad Probe to NIA (Gauri Lankesh News / Jul 2021)
▪ ‘Centre’s Decision to Hand Bhima Koregaon to NIA Unconstitutional’: Maha Home Minister (The Wire / Jan 2020)
▪ Deputy CM raises doubts in case against 10 activists, seeks proof in 15 days (Scroll.in / Jan 2020)
▪ Bhima-Koregaon case transferred to NIA to compromise independent probe: Front Line Defenders (Jan 2020)

Supreme Court seeks explanation on delay in trial against Surendra Gadling

Supreme Court seeks explanation on delay in trial against Surendra Gadling

Supreme Court questions delay in trial of Surendra Gadling in 2016 Surjagarh mine arson case

25/09/2025

The Leaflet / by Parmod Kumar

“Why is the trial not going on, and for how many years can a person be kept in custody without trial?” the bench asked.
The Supreme Court yesterday expressed concern over the prolonged pendency of trial proceedings against advocate Surendra Gadling in the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case and asked the Maharashtra government whether a person could be kept in custody as an undertrial for several years.
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Explain delay in trial: Supreme Court to Maharashtra in Surendra Gadling bail case

24/09/2025

Bar & Bench / by Ritwik Choudhury

This was the 19th adjournment of Gadling’s bail plea, which has been pending since August 2023.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday pressed the State of Maharashtra to explain why the trial in the 2016 Surajgarh arson case has not begun despite human rights lawyer Surendra Gadling spending over six years in custody [Surendra Pundalik Gadling v. State of Maharashtra].
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“How Long Can You Keep A Person In Custody Without Trial?”: SC Questions Delay In Trial Against Surendra Gadling

24/09/2025

Live Law / by Amisha Shrivastava

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (September 24) raised concerns over the prolonged pendency of trial proceedings against lawyer and activist Surendra Gadling in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case.
A bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Vijay Bishnoi asked whether a person can be kept in custody as an undertrial for many years.
…
The matter will be next heard on October 28/29.
Read more

Supreme Court Seeks Explanation on Delayed Trial in 2016 Arson Case

24/09/2025

Devdiscourse / by Devdiscourse News Desk

The Supreme Court has questioned the delay in the trial of a 2016 arson case involving advocate Surendra Gadling and demanded an explanation from the Maharashtra government. Gadling has been incarcerated for over 6.7 years, accused of aiding Maoists in the Surjagarh iron ore mine incident.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court raised concerns over the prolonged trial of a 2016 arson case involving Surendra Gadling, an advocate accused of aiding Maoists in Maharashtra.
Read more

Also read:
▪ 6 yrs, no charges framed – Surendra Gadling stuck in trial limbo in 2016 Surajgarh arson case (The Print / Sep 2025)
▪ In Surendra Gadling’s case, adjournment becomes the verdict (Frontline / Aug 2025)
▪ How Long is Too Long? – On the Maximum Period that an Undertrial Prisoner can be Detained (Constitutional Law and Philosophy | by Hany Babu and Surendra Gadling | Oct 2024)
▪ Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)
▪ DISINHERITING ADIVASIS – THE GADCHIROLI GAME PLAN (KAFILA / June 2018)

NIA opposes plea to clear Stan Swamy’s name, says it would set wrong precedent

NIA opposes plea to clear Stan Swamy’s name, says it would set wrong precedent

PUDR campaign

Fr Stan Swamy can’t be declared innocent just because he’s dead: NIA

24/09/2025

Hindustan Times / by Karuna Nidhi

The petition was filed by Stan Swamy’s friend and fellow Jesuit priest Fr. Frazer Mascarenhas who retired in 2015 as Mumbai’s St. Xavier’s College principal
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday opposed a petition filed in the Bombay High Court seeking to remove the “odium” of criminal charges against Jesuit priest Father Stan Swamy who died in custody in July 2021 while awaiting trial in the Elgar Parishad case.
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NIA opposes plea to clear Stan Swamy’s name, says it would set wrong precedent

23/09/2025

India Today / by Vidya

The petition sought a judicial inquiry into Stan Swamy’s death and requested that the “odium of guilty” attached to him be removed.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has opposed a petition filed in the Bombay High Court seeking to clear the name of late tribal rights activist Father Stan Swamy from the Elgar Parishad case, saying such a move would set a “wrong precedent.”
….
The court will take up the matter again after two weeks.
Read more

Also read:
▪ I saw firsthand how callous prison officials and their negligence led to Stan Swamy’s death (Scroll.in | by Arun Ferreira | Jul 2025)
▪ Daring, Fearless and Kind, Father Stan Swamy Remains a Beacon of Resistance (The Wire | by Hany Babu, Jyoti Jagtap, Mahesh Raut, Ramesh Murlidhar Gaichor, Sagar Gorkhe, Surendra Gadling | Jul 2025)
▪ Jesuit Missions repeats call to clear Indian priest’s name (Indcatholic News / Jul 2024)

SC Refuses To Entertain Varavara Rao’s Plea To Modify Bail Condition To Not Leave Mumbai

SC Refuses To Entertain Varavara Rao’s Plea To Modify Bail Condition To Not Leave Mumbai

Varavara Rao

Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain Varavara Rao’s Plea To Modify Bail Condition Requiring Him To Be In Mumbai

19/09/2025

Live Law / by Debby Jain

The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a plea to modify the medical bail condition imposed on 85-yr old P Varavara Rao, accused under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in the Bhima Koregaon case, which requires him to seek prior permission from the Trial Court if he wishes to leave the Greater Mumbai area. A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi dismissed as withdrawn Rao’s plea after hearing Senior Advocate Anand Grover.
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SC refuses to hear plea of P Varavara Rao on bail modification

19/09/2025

Hindustan Times / by Abraham Thomas

Rao, 85, had sought modification of the bail order of August 10, 2022 granted by the top court on medical grounds and considering his advanced age
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a petition filed by Bhima Koregaon violence accused P Varavara Rao seeking modification of his bail order which prohibits him from leaving the jurisdiction of the trial court in Mumbai. The court, however, permitted him to withdraw the plea.
Read more

Also read:
▪ For accused out on bail, Court’s condition to not leave city a further challenge (The Indian Express / Jan 2025)
▪ Bombay HC allows Varavara Rao to undergo cataract surgery in Hyderabad (The Indian Express / Oct 2023)
▪ Can’t Allow Varavara Rao To Stay In Hyderabad For Three Months For Cataract Treatment, Will Delay Framing of Charges: NIA Court (Scroll.in / Sep 2022)
▪ Supreme Court grants permanent medical bail to P. Varavara Rao in Bhima Koregaon case (The Leaflet / Aug 2022)

Supreme Court To Hear Surendra Gadling’s Bail Plea In Gadchiroli Arson Case On September 24

Supreme Court To Hear Surendra Gadling’s Bail Plea In Gadchiroli Arson Case On September 24

Campaign poster 2024

Live Law / by Amisha Shrivastava

Senior Advocate Anand Grover on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the case against Dalit rights activist and advocate Surendra Gadling in the 2016 Gadchiroli Surajgad arson incident was “completely false” and based only on electronic evidence illegally seized in the Bhima Koregaon case.
…
The Court adjourned the matter to next Wednesday (September 24) after briefly hearing Grover and Additional Solicitor General SV Raju.
Read more

thread by Live Law /  @LiveLawIndia (Sep 17):

#SupremeCourt hears bail plea of lawyer Surendra Gadling, accused under UAPA in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case.
Bench: Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Vijay Bishnoi.
Senior Advocate Anand Grover: he was not named in the FIR. He was arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case. In that case, under procedure unknown to law say that they have found electronic evidence implicating him in this case.
J Maheshwari: What is the material against him?
Grover: Nothing except the evidence found in the other case. The procedure in that case to collect evidence totally contrary to law. And then they say that there is evidence in those electronic devices that you are a member of the maoist party.
Grover: evidence that they have collected, he was espousing that cause to fight it legally. There was no search warrant.
J Maheshwari to ASG SV Raju: he is saying that search Warren application was submitted but it was not permitted by the court still you made a search.
Raju: there is no requirement for obtaining search warrant in the course of investigation. It is right of the investigating officer to search any place for the purpose of finding evidence, those are inherent powers of the IO.
Raju: I will point out from the CrPC. Even assuming that the search was illegal the court has taken a view that material recovered can be admissible as evidence. Even if search is illegal material collected is not washed of. It can be relied upon and conviction can be based on it
J Maheshwari: If we continue for 15 minutes you will finish it?
Raju: It will take time.
Court: List on next Wednesday.

Also read:
▪ 6 yrs, no charges framed – Surendra Gadling stuck in trial limbo in 2016 Surajgarh arson case (The Print / Sep 2025)
▪ SC to hear bail plea of Bhima Koregaon accused Surendra Gadling on Sep 17 (Hindustan Times / Sep 2025)
▪ In Surendra Gadling’s case, adjournment becomes the verdict (Frontline / Aug 2025)
▪ How Long is Too Long? – On the Maximum Period that an Undertrial Prisoner can be Detained (Constitutional Law and Philosophy | by Hany Babu and Surendra Gadling | Oct 2024)
▪ Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)