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Bhima Koregaon case: Mumbai court rejects NIA plea to cancel bail for four activists

Bhima Koregaon case: Mumbai court rejects NIA plea to cancel bail for four activists


by Bar & Bench / @barandbench (Aug 29):
A special Mumbai court today has rejected applications filed by NIA seeking cancellation of bail of four accused in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon case.
The special judge held that mere presence at a gathering with co-accused does not automatically amount to a breach of bail conditions without concrete evidence of illegal activities.



Bhima Koregaon Case: NIA Court Refuses To Cancel Bail Of Sudha Bharadwaj & 3 Others For Attending Press Club Event

30/08/2026

Live Law / by Narsi Benwal

A Special Court on Saturday (August 29) refused to cancel the bail granted to four rights activists booked in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case. The Special Court has, however, ‘cautioned’ the accused persons against breaching the conditions imposed on them while granting them bail.
Special Judge Chakor Baviskar dismissed the application filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) seeking to cancel the bail granted to Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves.
The four accused were granted bail at various points of time by either the High Court or the Supreme Court.
Read more


Bhima Koregaon case: Mumbai court rejects NIA plea to cancel bail for four activists

30/08/2026

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

The agency claimed that Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves violated their bail conditions by attending a gathering in January.
A Mumbai court has rejected the National Investigation Agency’s application to cancel the bail granted to four activists in the Bhima Koregaon case, reported Bar and Bench on Sunday.
The investigating agency had sought that the bail granted to activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves be cancelled on the grounds that they had attended a gathering at the Mumbai Press Club in January along with other persons accused in the case.
Read more


Court Rejects NIA’s Plea to Put Elgar Parishad Accused Back in Jail

30/08/2026

The Wire / by The Wire Staff

There is no evidence that four accused persons in the case gathered earlier this year with a view to commit similar crimes, the court ruled.
A Mumbai court has rejected the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s plea to put four individuals accused in the Elgar Parishad case back in jail on the grounds that they violated their bail conditions.

Special judge Chakor Baviskar on Saturday (August 29) ruled in four orders dealing with Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Sudha Bharadwaj and Vernon Gonsalves that there is no evidence they gathered at a function in Mumbai earlier this year looking to commit crimes similar to what they are accused of committing.
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No bail violation in ordinary human interaction, court says, rejecting NIA plea against four Elgaar Parishad accused

30/08/2026

Maktoob Media / by Maktoob

A special court on Saturday refused to cancel the bail of four human rights defenders accused in the Elgaar Parishad case, holding that the NIA had failed to produce evidence that their presence at a January gathering at the Mumbai Press Club amounted to a violation of their bail conditions.
… NIA judge Chakor Baviskar remarked that co-accused routinely meet inside and outside courtrooms during hearings and converse about their cases and personal well-being.
“By that alone, they cannot be said to be committing any breach…Merely because the venue of the meeting/gathering of the accused changed, they cannot be said to have committed breach of the bail condition,” the order stated.
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NIA court rejects pleas to cancel bail of 4 Elgar Parishad case accused

30/08/2026

Hindustan Times / by Vikrant Jha

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Saturday rejected the NIA’s pleas to cancel the bail of four Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case accused — Telugu poet-activist P Varavara Rao, lawyer-activist Sudha Bharadwaj, and activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, for participating in an event at the Mumbai Press Club earlier this year
The court said there was no evidence to show that the gathering they attended was meant to propagate CPI (Maoist) ideology or advance the “Urban Naxal” movement.
Read more


Elgar Parishad case: Court rejects NIA plea to cancel 4 activists’ bail

29/08/2026

India Today / by Vidya

The Special NIA Court in Mumbai rejected the agency’s plea to cancel bail granted to four Elgar Parishad accused, saying their mere presence at a Press Club gathering did not establish a violation of bail conditions or Maoist-linked activity.
A Special NIA Court in Mumbai on Saturday rejected the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) applications seeking cancellation of bail granted to activists P Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves, Sudha Bharadwaj and Arun Ferreira in the Elgar Parishad case, holding that the agency had failed to produce sufficient evidence to establish a violation of their bail conditions.
Read more


Court refuses to cancel bail of 4 accused over Press Club gathering

29/08/2026

The Indian Express / by Sadaf Modak

NIA failed to produce evidence that Sudha Bharadwaj, Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira met to further ‘Urban Naxal’ activities, court says
A special court on Saturday refused to cancel the bail of four accused in the Elgaar Parishad case, holding that the NIA had failed to produce evidence that their presence at a January gathering at the Mumbai Press Club amounted to a violation of their bail conditions.
Read more


Also read:
Mere communication with co-accused can’t warrant bail cancellation, court told (The Indian Express / Jul 2026)
Charge of Maoist link in Press Club meet ‘mere assumption’ – Varavara Rao opposes NIA bail repeal plea (The Print / Jul 2026)
NIA Moves to Cancel Bails of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira in Elgar Parishad Case (The Wire / Jun 2026)
Activist Sudha Bharadwaj Seeks All Evidence Cited By NIA In Bail Cancellation Plea (Times of India / Jun 2026)
NIA Seeks Cancellation of Activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj Bail Over Mumbai Press Club Meet (The Wire / May 2026)
Mumbai Press Club Suspensions Over Elgar Parishad Accused Visit Spark Row; NIA Inquiry Raises Stakes (The Wire / May 2026)

Jail Before Justice | Sudha Bharadwaj in conversation with Kunal Kamra

Jail Before Justice | Sudha Bharadwaj in conversation with Kunal Kamra

Shut Up Ya Kunal | Episode #35

By Kunal Kamra

hindi/en | 1:17:24 | 2026
Sudha Bharadwaj is a lawyer, trade unionist, and human rights activist whose work has focused on labor rights, access to justice, and the rights of marginalized communities, particularly Adivasis and industrial workers. With decades of experience in public interest law and grassroots advocacy, she has been a prominent voice on issues of constitutional rights, civil liberties, and social justice in India. In this conversation, she reflects on her journey, the challenges of defending vulnerable communities, the legal system, democracy, and the evolving landscape of human rights. A thoughtful discussion on law, justice, and the pursuit of equality.
Watch video


Also read:
NIA making malicious and false allegations to delay trial: Sudha Bhardwaj (Hindustan Times / Jul 2026)
NIA Seeks Cancellation of Activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj Bail Over Mumbai Press Club Meet (The Wire / May 2026)
▪ Sudha Bharadwaj speaks – A Life in Law and Activism

Publishing Date: January 2021
Interview: Darshana Mitra and Santanu Chakraborty
Publisher: Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)
Pages: 316
Access a free PDF copy of the book here

APCR condemns detention of protesters over posters of political prisoners / Mumbai Event Highlighting Constitutional Values

APCR condemns detention of protesters over posters of political prisoners / Mumbai Event Highlighting Constitutional Values

APCR condemns detention of Goa NEET protesters over posters of political prisoners, alleges criminalisation of dissent

30/07/2026

Maktoobmedia / by Maktoob

According to APCR, the controversy began when activist Danish displayed a placard at a peaceful gathering following the Education Minister’s resignation over paper leaks, calling for the release of undertrial prisoners, including Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid and the Bhima Koregaon accused.
The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) on Thursday condemned the detention and criminal proceedings against activist Sudeep Dalvi, Danish and other NEET protesters in Goa, alleging that the state was using criminal law to suppress peaceful dissent and violate constitutional freedoms.
Read more


The Jantar Mantar Student Protest: Anger, Accountability, and Democratic Rights

29/07/2026

Countercurrents.org / by Dinkar Kapoor

… It must also be noted that the anger brewing against the Modi government stems partly from the systematic erosion of democratic and constitutional rights. The government has suppressed every voice of dissent through repression. Some of the nation’s finest minds—such as Anand Teltumbde, Gautam Navlakha, Umar Khalid, Prabir Purkayastha, Sudha Bharadwaj, and Satyam Verma—have been imprisoned. Organizing sit-ins, protests, fasts, movements, or marches has become not merely difficult but virtually impossible in the country. Individuals committed to social causes—who strengthen democracy—were branded as “Andolanjeevi” (professional protesters), “anti-nationals,” and even “cockroaches.” Institutions that bolster the democratic system and channel public outrage toward democratic resolutions have been dismantled.
Read more


‘Free Umar Khalid’ placard draws police action at Goa protest

26/07/2026

The Indian Express / by Pavneet Singh Chadha

Goa police detain man for carrying a placard that said ‘Free Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Bhima Koregaon 16’. Came after BJP Yuva Morcha workers staged a protest demanding his arrest
Goa Police Saturday evening detained a man for allegedly carrying a “Free Umar Khalid” placard at a gathering organised to express solidarity with the protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and to mark the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
According to the police, the incident took place around 7 pm, when people gathered at the Azad Maidan in Panaji were raising slogans. Police said one of the protesters was carrying a placard that read, “Free Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Bhima Koregaon 16”.
Read more


‘Refuse to Lift Your Lathis’: 1800 Citizens Write Open Letter to Security Forces At Jantar Mantar

25/07/2026

The Wire / by The Wire Staff

“Next time an order like this comes to you to savagely attack innocent peaceful protesters you must stop and think, and you must refuse to lift your lathi,” the letter read.
A group of concerned citizens, with over 1800 signatories, have written an open letter to the police and security forces deployed at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, following visuals of a violent crackdown on student protesters on July 20, 2026. Appealing directly to the personnel’s conscience, the letter asks them to resist orders to attack peaceful demonstrators. The letter has been circulated in 15 Indian languages, apart from English: Bengali, Garhwali, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Khasi, Maithili, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Tamizh, Telugu and Urdu.
Read the full letter


“Hum Bharat Ke Log”: Tushar Gandhi Leads Mumbai Event Highlighting Constitutional Values & Democratic Rights

24/07/2026

Free Press Journal / by Poonam Apraj

Around 200 activists, students, writers and citizens gathered in Mumbai for ‘Hum Bharat Ke Log – Voice of Resistance’, a cultural programme highlighting constitutional values. Presided over by Tushar Gandhi, the event saw the launch of the ‘Lawyers of Students’ app for legal aid to protesting students. Speakers discussed democracy, justice, equality and peaceful civic participation.
… Those present included Dhananjay Shinde, Aamir Kazi, Guddi Tiwari, Sudhir Dhawale, Suvarna Salve, Subodh More, Tejas, Huma Namal, actor Sushant Singh, Akshay from Raigad and Advocate Todkar.
Read more


CJP protest row: Mumbai Police book Shivaji Park organisers for unlawful assembly

20/07/2026

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

The organisers of the Shivaji Park protest are facing an FIR for ‘unlawful assembly’ as the Mumbai Police said, no permission was granted to carry out the demonstration.
… Earlier, the Mumbai Police had registered two FIRs in connection with the protests that were carried out in south Mumbai on Saturday in support of Sonam Wangchuk.The first FIR was registered at the Marine Drive police station against the NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction party workers for protesting near Mantralaya, and the second against left party organisations for protesting near the Press Club. The seven people booked include Sudhir Dhawale, an accused in the Elgar Parishad case who received bail last year.
Read more


Also read:
The exam crisis that became a battle for accountability (SabrangIndia / Jul 2026)
CJP protest: From Shillong to Mumbai, solidarity demonstrations held across India (Scroll.in / Jul 2026)
How Maharashtra’s folk traditions fuel Sudhir Dhawale’s tireless cultural resistance against caste (Scroll.in / Apr 2026)
As Maharashtra Govt Brings Bill Against ‘Urban Naxalism’, Activists Fear Criminalisation of Dissent (The Wire / Jul 2025)
How Kabir Kala Manch, the anti-caste cultural troupe, challenges the hierarchical social order (Scroll.in / Jul 2024)
Kabir Kala Manch: A History of Revolutionary Singing and State Repression (ritimo / April 2022)
Singing on the beats of resistance: Relaa collective and the cultural activists of Maharashtra (ritimo.org / Apr 2022)
Maharashtra: Activists, Lawyers Added to ‘Union War Book’, Listed as ‘Enemies of the State’ (The Wire / Jul 2021)

NIA making malicious and false allegations to delay trial: Sudha Bharadwaj

NIA making malicious and false allegations to delay trial: Sudha Bharadwaj

Poster by #bakeryprasad

NIA making malicious and false allegations to delay trial: Sudha Bhardwaj

11.07.2026

Hindustan Times / by Vikrant Jha

Bharadwaj told a special court that the agency’s allegations that a gathering on January 19 at the Mumbai Press Club was convened to propagate the ideology of the banned CPI (Maoist) and further the “Urban Naxal” movement were “wholly false and malicious” and “no documents or evidence of any kind supporting these” had been supplied to her by the NIA.
Activist-lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case, on Friday opposed the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s plea seeking cancellation of her bail.
Read more


Mere communication with co-accused can’t warrant bail cancellation, court told

11.07.2026

The Indian Express / by Sadaf Modak

The agency claims that they have violated a bail condition, by communicating with each other. The court will hear arguments by the lawyers of the other two accused, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, whose bails are sought to be cancelled by the NIA on July 20.
In the Elgaar Parishad case, lawyer activist Sudha Bharadwaj told a special court on Friday that mere communication between co-accused cannot be a ground to cancel bail. The court was hearing arguments on the National Investigation Agency’s plea seeking cancellation of bail to Bharadwaj and three other accused, over a meeting at the Mumbai Press Club in January.
Read more


Also read:
Charge of Maoist link in Press Club meet ‘mere assumption’ – Varavara Rao opposes NIA bail repeal plea (The Print / Jul 2026)
NIA Moves to Cancel Bails of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira in Elgar Parishad Case (The Wire / Jun 2026)
Activist Sudha Bharadwaj Seeks All Evidence Cited By NIA In Bail Cancellation Plea (Times of India / Jun 2026)
NIA Seeks Cancellation of Activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj Bail Over Mumbai Press Club Meet (The Wire / May 2026)
Mumbai Press Club Suspensions Over Elgar Parishad Accused Visit Spark Row; NIA Inquiry Raises Stakes (The Wire / May 2026)

Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira oppose NIA’s plea to cancel their bail

Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira oppose NIA’s plea to cancel their bail

Charge of Maoist link in Press Club meet ‘mere assumption’ – Varavara Rao opposes NIA bail repeal plea

07/07/2026

The Print / by Mayank Kumar

Seeking cancellation of bail to Elgar Parishad accused, NIA alleges that January meeting at Mumbai Press Club was intended to discuss ways to spread the ‘Urban Naxal’ movement.
Poet-activist Varavara Rao has opposed the National Investigation Agency’s plea to cancel his bail in the 2018 Elgar Parishad case, saying he was merely an invitee to a Mumbai Press Club dinner and was unaware that other co-accused had also been invited, countering the NIA’s argument that they had violated bail conditions.
Read more


Elgar Parishad Case: Varavara Rao Opposes NIA’s Bid To Revoke Bail, Denies Violating Court Conditions

04/07/2026

Free Press Journal / by Charul Shah Joshi

Poet-activist Varavara Rao has opposed the NIA’s plea seeking cancellation of his bail in the Elgar Parishad case, denying he knowingly met co-accused at a Mumbai Press Club event. Rao said there is no evidence of communication with co-accused or Maoist propaganda, asserting the meeting focused on prisoners’ issues and legal matters. The NIA court will hear arguments on July 10.
Read more


3 accused oppose NIA’s plea to cancel their bail for attending press club event

03/07/2026

Hindustan Times / by Vikrant Jha

Poet-activist Varavara Rao, activist Vernon Gonsalves and activist-lawyer Arun Ferreira filed separate replies before Special Judge Chakor S Baviskar, opposing the NIA’s applications seeking cancellation of their bail. The court took the replies on record and adjourned the matter to July 10 for hearing
Three accused in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case on Thursday opposed the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s plea seeking cancellation of their bail. They told a special court that they were unaware they had been invited together to a January event at the Mumbai Press Club, that they had merely attended it as invitees, and that bail could not be cancelled lightly in the absence of any deliberate or substantial breach of its conditions.
Read more


NIA records statement of 6 over Mumbai Press Club meet cited in Elgaar bail plea

02/07/2026

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

The agency has argued that the accused violated bail conditions prohibiting them from establishing communication with co-accused or persons allegedly involved in similar activities by attending the gathering together.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recorded the statements of six persons, including three journalists expelled from the Mumbai Press Club and three office-bearers of the club, as part of its probe into the January 19 gathering at the club that has become central to its bid to cancel the bail of several accused in the Elgaar Parishad case.
Read more


Also read:
Court dismisses notice of motion filed by journalist expelled for press club (The Hindu / Jul 2026)
NIA Moves to Cancel Bails of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira in Elgar Parishad Case (The Wire / Jun 2026)
Activist Sudha Bharadwaj Seeks All Evidence Cited By NIA In Bail Cancellation Plea (Times of India / Jun 2026)
NIA Seeks Cancellation of Activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj Bail Over Mumbai Press Club Meet (The Wire / May 2026)
Mumbai Press Club Suspensions Over Elgar Parishad Accused Visit Spark Row; NIA Inquiry Raises Stakes (The Wire / May 2026)

NIA Moves to Cancel Bails of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira in Elgar Parishad Case

NIA Moves to Cancel Bails of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira in Elgar Parishad Case

5 Aug 5 2023. Vernon and Arun released.

NIA Moves to Cancel Bails of Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira in Elgar Parishad Case

11/06/2026

The Wire / by Sukanya Shantha

It had, last month, moved a similar application seeking the cancellation of Varavara Rao and Sudha Bharadwaj’s bails.
After their prolonged incarceration and subsequent release on bail, the National Investigating Agency is eager to send the rights defenders held in the Elgar Parishad case back to jail.
The agency (NIA) had, last month, moved an application seeking cancellation of the bail of Telugu poet-activist Varavara Rao and lawyer-academic Sudha Bharadwaj. On June 10, Wednesday, the agency moved a fresh application seeking cancellation of the bails of two more activists, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira.
Read more


NIA seeks bail cancellation of Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira over violation of bail conditions

11/06/2026

Bar & Bench / by Bar & Bench

The agency alleged before the special court in Mumbai that Ferreira and Gonsalves attended a January 19 gathering at the Mumbai Press Club where other accused persons were present.
A Mumbai special court on Wednesday directed accused Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira to respond to the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) pleas seeking cancellation of their bail in the Bhima Koregaon case over alleged violations of bail conditions.
Read more


NIA moves to cancel Gonsalves, Ferreira bail in Elgar Parishad case

11/06/2026

Hindustan Times / by Vikrant Jha

Special Judge Chakor S Baviskar directed Gonsalves (68) and Ferreira (53) to file their replies to the applications, which have been posted for further consideration on June 19.
Weeks after seeking cancellation of the bail granted to Varavara Rao and Sudha Bharadwaj, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday moved a special court seeking revocation of the bail granted to activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira in the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case, alleging that they violated the conditions of their release by attending a gathering at the Mumbai Press Club earlier this year.
Read more


NIA seeks bail cancellation of 2 more Elgar case accused | Mumbai News

10/06/2026

The Times of India / by Rebecca Samervel

Nearly a month after seeking cancellation of the bail granted to two 2018 Elgar Parishad case accused—activist and lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj and poet Varavara Rao—NIA on Wednesday moved moved a similar plea in a special court against two co-accused, activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, citing wilful violation of the bail conditions.
Read more


Also read:
Activist Sudha Bharadwaj Seeks All Evidence Cited By NIA In Bail Cancellation Plea (Times of India / Jun 2026)
NIA Seeks Cancellation of Activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj Bail Over Mumbai Press Club Meet (The Wire / May 2026)
Anand Patwardhan: The taming of the Mumbai Press Club (Scroll.in / May 2026)
Mumbai Press Club Suspensions Over Elgar Parishad Accused Visit Spark Row; NIA Inquiry Raises Stakes (The Wire / May 2026)
Supreme Court grants bail to Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, with tethers (The Leaflet / Jul 2023)
‘No Material’ to Demonstrate Terror Link, Yet Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferriera Spent 5 Years in Jail [Read judgment] (The Wire / Jul 2023)

Activist Sudha Bharadwaj Seeks All Evidence Cited By NIA In Bail Cancellation Plea

Activist Sudha Bharadwaj Seeks All Evidence Cited By NIA In Bail Cancellation Plea

Poster by #bakeryprasad

Submit proof of bail rider violation: Elgar case accused Sudha Bharadwaj to NIA

28/05/2026

Times of India / by Rebecca Samervel

Sudha Bharadwaj asks court to order NIA to disclose witness statements and documents after agency seeks bail cancellation over alleged Elgar Parishad case, sought directions to the prosecution to furnish all the statements of witnesses recorded during an in-house inquiry and all the relevant documents cited by the agency.
The court directed the prosecution to submit its reply and posted the matter for June 10.
Read more


Sudha Bhardwaj seeks material relied upon by NIA in bail cancellation plea

The Print / by pti

Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case accused Sudha Bhardwaj has sought the material relied upon by the prosecution while seeking cancellation of her bail.
The probe agency on May 15 moved the special NIA court for cancellation of bail of Bhardwaj and Varavara Rao, alleging they attended a gathering at Press Club here with the intention to propagate Maoist ideology in “blatant and wilful disregard”. …
The court on Thursday said the material be supplied to the accused only after due verification in the court. The matter will be next heard on June 10.
Read more


Elgar Parishad Case: Activist Sudha Bharadwaj Seeks All Evidence Cited By NIA In Bail Cancellation Plea

28/05/2026

Free Press Journal / by Charul Shah Joshi

Activist Sudha Bharadwaj, accused in the Elgar Parishad case, sought all material relied upon by the NIA in its plea seeking cancellation of her bail and that of Varavara Rao. A Mumbai court directed verification of a pen drive containing evidence before handing it over. The NIA alleged the duo violated bail conditions by attending a January meeting with co-accused members.
Activist Sudha Bharadwaj, booked in connection with the Elgar Parishad case, has sought all the material relied on by the prosecution while seeking cancellation of bail.
Read more


Also read:
Bombay HC Judge Recuses From Hearing Mumbai Press Club Plea, Cites His Appearance As Prosecutor In Bhima Koregaon Case (Live Law / May 2026)
NIA Seeks Cancellation of Activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj Bail Over Mumbai Press Club Meet (The Wire / May 2026)
Anand Patwardhan: The taming of the Mumbai Press Club (Scroll.in / May 2026)
Mumbai Press Club Suspensions Over Elgar Parishad Accused Visit Spark Row; NIA Inquiry Raises Stakes (The Wire / May 2026)

Bombay HC Judge Recuses From Hearing Mumbai Press Club Plea, Cites His Appearance As Prosecutor In Bhima Koregaon Case

Bombay HC Judge Recuses From Hearing Mumbai Press Club Plea, Cites His Appearance As Prosecutor In Bhima Koregaon Case

Bombay HC Judge Recuses From Hearing Mumbai Press Club Plea, Cites His Appearance As Prosecutor In Bhima Koregaon Case

19/05/2026

Live Law / by Narsi Benwal

The ongoing controversy over Sudha Bharadwaj and Varavara Rao – both accused in the Bhima Koregaon – Elgar Parishad case, who allegedly flouted their bail conditions and together attended an event organised by journalist Gurbir Singh at the Mumbai Press Club (MPC), reached the Bombay High Court on Tuesday (May 19) with Justice Sandesh Patil recusing from hearing the matter.
Read more


Justice Sandesh Patil Recuses From Hearing Mumbai Press Club Appeal In Gurbir Singh Expulsion Case Linked to Bhima-Koregaon

19/05/2026

The Bar Bulletin / by Sakshi Singh

Justice Sandesh Patil, Judge Bombay High Court, has recused from hearing an appeal filed by the Mumbai Press Club challenging an ad-interim order passed in favour of journalist Gurbir Singh, who had been expelled from the Club following controversy over an event attended by Bhima Koregaon accused Varavara Rao and Sudha Bharadwaj.
The dispute arose after the Mumbai Press Club expelled Singh, a member of the Club, over his role in organising an event that featured poet-activist Varavara Rao and lawyer-activist Sudha Bharadwaj, both accused in the Bhima Koregaon–Elgar Parishad case.
Read more


Also read:
NIA Seeks Cancellation of Activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj Bail Over Mumbai Press Club Meet (The Wire / May 2026)
Anand Patwardhan: The taming of the Mumbai Press Club (Scroll.in / May 2026)
Mumbai Press Club Suspensions Over Elgar Parishad Accused Visit Spark Row; NIA Inquiry Raises Stakes (The Wire / May 2026)

NIA Seeks Cancellation of Activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj Bail Over Mumbai Press Club Meet

NIA Seeks Cancellation of Activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj Bail Over Mumbai Press Club Meet

Elgar Parishad Case: NIA Seeks Cancellation of Activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj Bail Over Mumbai Press Club Meet

15/04/2026

The Wire / by Sukanya Shantha

The NIA told a special court that the January gathering at the club violated a bail condition that bars communication between co-accused in the case, which has gone on for nearly eight years without trial.
Weeks after the Mumbai Press Club created a controversy over defendants in the Elgar Parishad case visiting the club, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has now swooped in. The central agency, which is handling the controversial 2018 case, on Thursday, May 15, sought cancellation of the bail granted to two accused – Telugu poet-activist Varavara Rao and lawyer-academic Sudha Bharadwaj.
Read more


Bhima Koregaon case: NIA seeks cancellation of bail for activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj

15/04/2026

Scroll.in / by Scroll Staff

The agency alleged that they violated their bail conditions by taking part in a meeting at the Mumbai Press Club, where other accused persons were present.
The National Investigation Agency on Friday moved a special court in Mumbai seeking that the bail granted to activists Varavara Rao and Sudha Bharadwaj in the Bhima Koregaon case be cancelled.
The court has directed the activists to respond to the applications, The Indian Express reported.
Read more


NIA seeks cancellation of bail granted to Sudha Bharadwaj and Varavara Rao in Elgar Case

15/04/2026

The Indian Express / by Express News Service

Agency alleges violation of bail conditions over Mumbai Press Club event; court to hear matter on May 22
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday moved an application before a special court here seeking cancellation of bail granted to activists Sudha Bharadwaj and Varavara Rao in the Elgar Parishad–Maoist links case, alleging violation of bail conditions.
Bharadwaj was granted bail on technical grounds in 2021, while Rao was released from prison a year later.
Read more


Also read:
Bombay HC Grants Relief To Mumbai Press Club, Restores Gurbir Singh’s Expulsion Pending Hearing (Free Press Journal / May 2026)
Anand Patwardhan: The taming of the Mumbai Press Club (Scroll.in / May 2026)
Mumbai Press Club Suspensions Over Elgar Parishad Accused Visit Spark Row; NIA Inquiry Raises Stakes (The Wire / May 2026)
Varavara Rao told to remain in Mumbai, not to make statement on case to media (The Indian Express / Aug 2022)
Activist Sudha Bharadwaj walks out of jail after over three years (Scroll.in / Dec 2021)

Mumbai Innocence Network Honours Lawyers Defending Wrongfully Accused In Terror Cases

Mumbai Innocence Network Honours Lawyers Defending Wrongfully Accused In Terror Cases

March in Ottawa, Aug 2023.

Eid Milan Gathering Honours Human Rights Lawyers at Islam Gymkhana

31/03/2026

Muslim Mirror / by Muslim Mirror

A packed hall at Islam Gymkhana witnessed a festive Eid Milan that brought together over a hundred lawyers, scholars, activists, and students, culminating in the conferment of the Champions of Human Rights Award 2026 on three prominent legal practitioners.
Read more


Mumbai Innocence Network Honours Lawyers Defending Wrongfully Accused In Terror Cases

29/03/2026

Free Press Journal / by Pranali Lotlikar

The Innocence Network on Saturday felicitated activists and lawyers in Mumbai for defending individuals allegedly wrongfully arrested, especially in terror cases. At the Islam Gymkhana event, Sudha Bharadwaj highlighted challenges faced by marginalised groups, while Gayatri Singh warned against restrictive laws. Organisers said the initiative aims to raise awareness on justice and due process.
… The awards recognised individuals who have worked to uphold civil liberties and defend the rights of those accused in controversial cases. Among those honoured was Nagpur-based lawyer Surendra Gadling, who is currently in jail, and who was conferred the “Champion of Human Rights” award. Advocates M. M. Sayyad and Ibrahim Harbat were also recognised for their legal work in defending accused persons in several terror-related cases involving minority communities.
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