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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.
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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)

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

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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)

Supreme Court defers Surendra Gadling’s bail once again; 17 adjournments in two years

Supreme Court defers Surendra Gadling’s bail once again; 17 adjournments in two years

Supreme Court defers Surendra Gadling’s bail once again; 17 adjournments in two years

04/09/2025

Bar & Bench / by Ritwik Choudhury

The human rights lawyer has been in custody for over six years without charges being framed in connection with the 2016 Surajgarh arson case.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned the bail plea of human rights lawyer and Surajgarh arson accused Surendra Gadling for the 17th time since it was first filed in August 2023 [Surendra Pundalik Gadling vs State of Maharashtra].
Read more


SC to hear bail plea of Bhima Koregaon accused Surendra Gadling on Sep 17

03/09/2025

Hindustan Times / by Abraham Thomas

The decision comes a week after another bench of the top court recused from hearing the matter amid concerns raised by Gadling’s lawyers over the long pendency of the matter since August 2023
The Supreme Court on Wednesday fixed September 17 as the date for hearing the bail plea of Bhima Koregaon violence accused and lawyer Surendra Gadling, a week after another bench of the top court recused from hearing the matter amid concerns raised by his lawyers over the long pendency of the matter since August 2023.
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Supreme Court to hear next week Surendra Gadling’s bail plea

29/08/2025

Law Beat / by Aishwarya Iyer

Gadling had reportedly asked Maoists to oppose the operation of Surjagarh mines and instigated several locals to join the movement.
The Supreme Court today has agreed to list next week the bail plea filed by Surendra Gadling, accused in the Bhima Koregoan Elghar Parishad Violence case of 2018.
Read more


Supreme Court to hear Surendra Galding’s bail plea on September 3

29/08/2025

The New Indian Express / by pti

On August 8, senior advocate Anand Grover mentioned the matter before CJI Gavai for an early hearing, citing his client Gadling’s over six-year-long incarceration.
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to list on September 3 the hearing on the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling, accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case.
Read more


Also read:
Supreme Court Judge Justice MM Sundresh Recuses Himself From Hearing Bail Plea Of Advocate Surendra Gadling (Free Press Journal / Aug 2025)
In Surendra Gadling’s case, adjournment becomes the verdict (Frontline / Aug 2025)
Villagers in Gadchiroli campaign to shut down Surjagarh iron ore mine (Land Conflict Watch / Feb 2017)

SC Justice MM Sundresh recuses from Surendra Gadling’s Bail Plea In 2016 Gadchiroli Arson Case

SC Justice MM Sundresh recuses from Surendra Gadling’s Bail Plea In 2016 Gadchiroli Arson Case

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Supreme Court Judge Justice MM Sundresh Recuses Himself From Hearing Bail Plea Of Advocate Surendra Gadling In Elgar Parishad Case

27/08/2025

Free Press Journal / by FPJ News Service

The plea was scheduled to be heard by a bench comprising Justice Sundresh and Justice N Kotiswar Singh. Earlier, on August 8, senior advocate Anand Grover had mentioned the case before Chief Justice BR Gavai, seeking an early hearing on grounds that Gadling has been in jail for over six-and-a-half years.
Supreme Court judge Justice MM Sundresh on Tuesday recused himself from hearing the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling, an accused in the Elgar Parishad–Maoist links case.
Read more


Justice MM Sundresh Recuses From Hearing Surendra Gadling’s Bail Plea In 2016 Gadchiroli Arson Case

26/08/2025

Live Law / by Amisha Shrivastava

The matter will be heard by another bench.
Justice MM Sundresh of the Supreme Court recused himself from hearing the bail plea of Dalit rights activist and advocate Surendra Gadling in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case. The matter was listed today before a bench of Justice Sundresh and Justice N Kotiswar Singh.
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Supreme Court Justice MM Sundresh recuses from Surendra Gadling bail case

26/08/2025

Bar & Bench / by Ummar Jamal

According to the details available on the Supreme Court website, the matter is not to be listed before Justice Sundresh.
Supreme Court Justice MM Sundresh on Tuesday recused from hearing the bail plea filed by lawyer and activist Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surajgarh arson case [Surendra Pundalik Gadling vs State of Maharashtra].
According to the details available on the Supreme Court website, the matter is not to be listed before Justice Sundresh.
Read more


Justice M.M. Sundresh recuses from hearing activist Surendra Gadling’s bail plea after repeated adjournments

26/08/2025

The Hindu / by Aaratrika Bhaumik

Activist Surendra Gadling’s counsel had earlier apprised Chief Justice B.R. Gavai that his bail plea had been adjourned 11 times in the Supreme Court
Supreme Court judge Justice M.M. Sundresh on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) recused himself from hearing a bail petition filed by advocate and activist Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case.
Read more


Also read:
In Surendra Gadling’s case, adjournment becomes the verdict (Frontline / Aug 2025)
SC to consider listing bail plea of Surendra Gadling (Hindustan Times / Aug 2025)
Will anti-Naxal drive pave way for mining giants? (New Indian Express / May 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)
When Push Comes to Shove: Tracking Judicial Recusals and Transfers (The Wire / Apr 2023)
DISINHERITING ADIVASIS – THE GADCHIROLI GAME PLAN (KAFILA / June 2018)

Will anti-Naxal drive pave way for mining giants?

Will anti-Naxal drive pave way for mining giants?

The New Indian Express / by Gurbir Singh

Is the government campaign aimed at ‘finishing off’ the extremists, or are the larger goals to open up central India’s mineral and natural resources for exploitation? Or both?
… Over the years, Maoists, NGOs and even priests like Stan Swamy have mobilized these tribal communities to resist corporate expansion. The state forces, on the other hand, have intervened to crush the protests.
Read more


Also read:
Three years after Stan Swamy’s death in custody, activists recall his contributions to Adivasi cause (Scroll.in / Jul 2024)
Jharkhand police to probe into Maoist links with Stan Swamy’s ‘Bagaicha’, 63 other frontal organisations (The New Indian Express / Sep 2023)
Statement against the drone bomb attacks in Chhattisgarh, India (India Matters / April 2023)
DISINHERITING ADIVASIS – THE GADCHIROLI GAME PLAN (KAFILA / June 2018)
The legal face of corporate land grab in Chhattisgarh (India Environmental Portal | by Sudha Bharadwaj | Feb 2018)
Mining In Gadchiroli – Building A Castle Of Injustices (Countercurrents | by Neema Pathak Broome and Mahesh Raut | June 2017)

Conjuring the BK16 Myth: How the Elgar Parishad case rests on fiction and deception

Conjuring the BK16 Myth: How the Elgar Parishad case rests on fiction and deception

Dispatches: A Conversation on unravelling the Elgar Parishad / Bhima Koregaon case with Prashant Rahi, Mouli Sharma and Arshu John

By The Polis Project / @project_polis

With Prashant Rahi, Mouli Sharma and Arshu John
By The Polis Project / @project_polis
en | 49min | 2025
Listen to the recording on X Spaces Live


Conjuring the BK16 Myth: How the Elgar Parishad case rests on fiction and deception

21/03/2025

The Polis Project / by Prashant Rahi and Mouli Sharma

This is the second report in a three-part investigative series on the Elgar Parishad/Bhima Koregaon case. Read part one here.
Three months after a Hindutva mob attacked a peaceful gathering of Dalit-Bahujan men, women, and children, a cabal from the Pune Urban Police mounted a bizarre prosecution, holding 16 eminent human rights defenders (HRDs) responsible for the Elgar Parishad, an anti-caste event held in the city, a day before. The infamous case has, however, come to draw its name less from the event, and more from the calamitous gathering that assembled on both sides of the river Bhima, on 1st January 2018, to pay homage to an obelisk-shaped martyrs’ column, at Perne Phata, opposite the village of Koregaon. In the months that followed, the HRDs were imprisoned in waves of arrests across the country, with no evidence so far linking them to the mob violence.
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)
THE BK-16 PRISON DIARIES SERIES (THE POLIS PROJECT / JUNE 2024-March 2025)
My 7 years in Anda cell were the most inhuman form of solitary confinement: Prashant Rahi (rediff.com / Mar 2024)
The Bhima Koregaon Arrests and the Resistance in India (Monthly Review / Apr 2022)

2016 Surjagarh Mine Arson Case: SC To Hear Bail Plea Of Surendra Gadling Next Week

2016 Surjagarh Mine Arson Case: SC To Hear Bail Plea Of Surendra Gadling Next Week

Outlook / by pti

On December 25, 2016, Maoist rebels allegedly set ablaze 76 vehicles being used for transporting iron ore from Surajgarh mines in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli.
The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned to next week the hearing on the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case.
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal deferred the matter as additional solicitor general Raja Thakare, representing Maharashtra government, was unavailable.
Read more


Also read:
Gadchiroli arson case: Supreme Court issues notice in bail plea of Surendra Gadling (The Leaflet / Oct 2023)
Now, ED Wants to Probe Elgar Parishad Case, Accuses Surendra Gadling of ‘Money Laundering’ (The Wire / July 2022)
Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)
Maharashtra: Activists, Lawyers Added to ‘Union War Book’, Listed as ‘Enemies of the State’ (The Wire / Jul 2021)
Gadling in jail. Reason? As lawyer-activist he has been ‘unpleasant’ to India’s topcops (Counterview / Dec 2020)
Now Gadchiroli Police takes custody of Surendra Gadling, P Varavara Rao, prompting senior lawyers to say this is ‘ever-greening of charges’ (The Leaflet / Jan 2019)


By Adv Surendra Gadling Defence Committee:
With due credit to anonymous artist and to the jailed, to be jailed lawyers
“Not a usual matter”: SC after State seeks adjournment in Surendra Gadling bail plea

“Not a usual matter”: SC after State seeks adjournment in Surendra Gadling bail plea

Surendra Gadling

“Not a usual matter”: Supreme Court after State seeks adjournment in Surendra Gadling bail plea

04/12/2024

Bar & Bench / by Anadi Tewari

The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court had in January rejected the bail plea of lawyer and activist Surendra Gadling in the 2016 Surajgarh arson case
The Supreme Court on Wednesday took exception to the Maharashtra government seeking adjournment in the bail plea filed by lawyer and activist Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surajgarh arson case [Surendra Pundalik Gadling vs State of Maharashtra].
Read more


SC gives Maha govt two weeks time to respond to lawyer Surendra Gadling’s bail plea

04/12/2024

Dajiworld.com / by IANS

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted the Maharashtra government two weeks’ time to file a counter affidavit to the bail plea filed by lawyer Surendra Gadling, who is behind bars in connection with the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case.
A bench, headed by Justice M.M. Sundresh, was hearing a special leave petition filed by Gadling against the dismissal of his appeal filed under Section 21(4) of the NIA (National Investigation Agency) Act seeking bail.
Read more


SC defers bail plea of advocate Gadling in 2016 Surjagarh mine arson case

04/12/2024

Business Standard / by ANI

The state sought adjournment on the ground that some documents are yet to be filed
The Supreme Court granted two weeks time to the Maharashtra government on Wednesday to file additional documents on the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case.
Read more


Also read:
Judicial Deliberations: Surendra Gadling’s Awaited Bail in Surjagarh Arson Case (Devdisourse / Nov 2024)
How Long Is Too Long for an Undertrial Prisoner To Be Detained? (The Wire | by Hany Babu & Surendra Gadling | Oct 2024)
Gadchiroli arson case: Supreme Court issues notice in bail plea of Surendra Gadling (The Leaflet / Oct 2023)
Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)
Now Gadchiroli Police takes custody of Surendra Gadling, P Varavara Rao, prompting senior lawyers to say this is ‘ever-greening of charges’ (The Leaflet / Jan 2019)

Judicial Deliberations: Surendra Gadling’s Awaited Bail in Surjagarh Arson Case

Judicial Deliberations: Surendra Gadling’s Awaited Bail in Surjagarh Arson Case

SC defers bail plea of Surendra Gadling in 2016 Surjagarh mine arson case

25/11/2024

The Print / by pti

The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned to December 4 the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case.
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Aravind Kumar deferred the matter after the counsel appearing for the Maharashtra government sought time to file a reply in the matter.
The top court on October 10, 2023, issued notice to the state government and sought its response on the petition within four weeks.
Read more


Judicial Deliberations: Surendra Gadling’s Awaited Bail in Surjagarh Arson Case

25/11/2024

Devdiscourse / by Devdiscourse News Desk

The Supreme Court has postponed the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling in the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case to December 4. Gadling is accused of aiding Maoists in the arson and is also linked to the Elgar Parishad case. His bail had been previously denied.
… The adjournment came after a bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Aravind Kumar agreed to a request from the Maharashtra government’s counsel, who sought more time to prepare a response.
Read more


Also read:
How Long Is Too Long for an Undertrial Prisoner To Be Detained? (The Wire | by Hany Babu & Surendra Gadling | Oct 2024)
Was the trial judge who convicted G.N. Saibaba biased? We will never know, and that is part of the injustice (The Leaflet / March 2024)
Gadchiroli arson case: Supreme Court issues notice in bail plea of Surendra Gadling (The Leaflet / Oct 2023)
Now Gadchiroli Police takes custody of Surendra Gadling, P Varavara Rao, prompting senior lawyers to say this is ‘ever-greening of charges’ (The Leaflet / Jan 2019)

Mahayuti govt compelled to appropriate INDIA alliance Constitution driven call?

Mahayuti govt compelled to appropriate INDIA alliance Constitution driven call?

Booklet: “Salaakhon Mein Qaid Avaazein” (Access PDF)

Sabrangindia / by Tanya Arora

As the Maharashtra Assembly elections approach, with the announcement due any day now, the Shinde government has rolled s out last-minute welfare measures! And its “alliance partner,” the BJP has today issued appropriate-ory advertisements, with deputy chief minister Devendra Phadnavis prostrating before a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar; this while the state regime continues to undermine constitutional values while exploiting Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy to secure votes from marginalised communities
… One also cannot forget the infamous Bhima Koregaon case, which is another chilling example of how dissent, especially from Dalit and Adivasi rights activists, has been criminalised in Maharashtra. The case stems from the January 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence, where clashes broke out after Dalits gathered to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon, a symbolic event marking Dalit pride and resistance.
Read more


Also read:
A New Bill Shows Maharashtra Wants to Become a Police State Before Combatting Left-Wing Extremism (The Wire / Jul 2024)
What is Maharashtra’s new Bill to curb ‘Naxalism in urban areas’? (The Indian Express / Jul 2024)
Maharashtra: Activists, Lawyers Added to ‘Union War Book’, Listed as ‘Enemies of the State’ (The Wire / Jul 2021)