Surendra Gadling – free them all

Voices From Prison: Imprisonment Sends A Calculated Message To Everyone Else

28/01/2026 Asha

Outlook / by Abdul Wahid Shaikh

The demand for the release of political prisoners is necessary because any democracy claims pride in guaranteeing fundamental rights
The demand for the release of political prisoners today is haunted by a dangerous vagueness. As the category expands, its meaning becomes thinner.
… there is remarkably little organised effort to secure the release of political prisoners. Whatever exists has steadily retreated from sustained collective organising to the fragile and easily targeted space of social media. This shift appears logical only because the state has relentlessly criminalised even the mildest attempts to raise the issue of political imprisonment. The most chilling example remains the case of Delhi University professor G. N. Saibaba. After his arrest, a defence committee was formed to campaign for his release. At least five of its members were later arrested in the Bhima Koregaon Elgar Parishad case.
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Voices From Prison: Of Lives Stolen For Dissent

20/01/2026

Outlook / by Outlook News Desk

Outlook’s February 1 issue, Thou Shalt Not Dissent, shines a light on the lives of political prisoners who were slapped with anti-terrorism charges and continue to face long trials and curbing of rights.
…
In Outlook’s February 1 issue, Thou Shalt Not Dissent, first-person accounts of political activists who were slapped with anti-terrorism charges under different political regimes, explore life behind bars, the trauma, sights and sounds of a world bereft of freedom, normalcy and reason. Weaved with the accounts are stories of individuals who carry the burden of incarceration like a tumour on the face, afraid to cover it, so it doesn’t chafe, and hesitant to let it free, so it does not translate into their only identity.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Incarceration As Politics: A Timeline Of Political Prisoners In Independent India (Outlook / Jan 2026)
▪ Who Is a ‘Political Prisoner’? Rona Wilson Says Caste and Religion Are Key to the Answer (The Wire / Feb 2025)
▪ Political Prisoners Unite the British Raj and ‘New India’ (The Wire / Sep 2022)

Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor Walk Out on Bail

27/01/2026 Asha

Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor after being released from Taloja Jail. Jan 27, 2026.

shared by Maktoob/@MaktoobMedia (Jan 28, 2026):
Bhima Koregaon case: Kabir Kala Manch activists Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor walk out of jail after 1,970 days
Kabir Kala Manch activists Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor walked out of jail after being granted bail in the Bhima Koregaon case, ending nearly five and a half years of incarceration. The two had been lodged in prison since 7 September 2020 under the draconian UAPA.

shared by Anish (Jan 27, 2026):
Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor released
Welcome Comrades.
#ReleaseAllPoliticalPrisoners

‘Lost Five and a Half Years, But Dignity Still Intact’: Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor Walk Out on Bail

27/01/2026

The Wire / by Sukanya Shantha

Released from jail on Tuesday, both activists lamented the continuing incarceration of their fellow Elgar Parishad accused Surendra Gadling.
The most challenging phase of incarceration, according to Sagar Gorkhe, one of the activists accused in the Elgar Parishad case, is the “agonising wait” for release after bail has been granted.
Gorkhe and fellow accused Ramesh Gaichor were granted bail by the Bombay high court on January 23. A division bench comprising Justices A.S. Gadkari and S.C. Chandak allowed their appeals against the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court’s earlier rejection of bail, primarily on grounds of parity with other co-accused who had already been released, as well as their prolonged detention.
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Bail for Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor, five years and five months after arrest

23/01/2026

SabrangIndia / by SabrangIndia

Bhima Koregaon Case: Bombay High Court granted bail to Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor With Friday (January 23) order, only lawyer Surendra Gadling would continue to remain in jail in this matter that has incarcerated several with the FIR being filed in early 2018
The Bombay High Court on Friday, January 23, granted bail to Bhima Koregaon accused and Kabir Kala Manch artistes Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor in connection with the 2018 Bhima Koregaon violence case. It was a bench of Justices AS Gadkari and SC Chandak that allowed the appeals filed by Gorkhe and Gaichor against the February 2022 order of the special NIA court in Mumbai, which had rejected their bail pleas in the matter.
Read more

Also watch:
▪ Video statement by Sagar Gorkhe & Ramesh Gaichor

by Sukanya Shantha/@sukanyashantha (Sep 7, 2020):
Kabir Kala Manch activists Sagar Gorkhe & Ramesh Gaichor have alleged that they’re being forced by the NIA to give confessional statements claiming they are a part of Maoist organization. The two refused, and were arrested today.
(This video was recorded on Sep 5.)

Watch video

The 2016 Surjagarh arson case, the Elgaar link, and why the Supreme Court is intervening now

21/01/2026 Asha

Explained: The 2016 Surjagarh arson case, the Elgaar link, and why the Supreme Court is intervening now

22/01/2026

The Indian Express / by Sadaf Modak

Surendra Gadling has been judicially detained for seven years without a trial. He is accused in the 2016 Surjagarh arson case and the 2018 Elgaar Parishad case.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 21) said that it would order to expedite proceedings against lawyer-activist Surendra Gadling in the 2016 Surjagarh arson case. Gadling sought bail in the case, and said that he has been behind bars for seven years without a trial since his arrest in 2019.
Gadling, lodged in a Mumbai jail, is also in judicial custody in the Elgaar Parishad case since 2018; the trial in the case is yet to begin.
Read more

‘No Judge Or Prosecutor In NIA Court, 7 Yrs Custody Without Trial’: Surendra Gadling To Supreme Court In Bail Plea

21/01/2026

Live Law / by Debby Jain

The Court adjourned the matter saying it will ascertain from the HC Chief Justice whether a judge is there in the NIA court.
The Supreme Court today adjourned lawyer-activist Surendra Gadling’s bail plea in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case by a month, while granting time for document inspection. A bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi heard the matter and said that it would ascertain from the Bombay High Court Chief Justice whether any judge is posted in the concerned NIA court.
Read more

7 years without trial: Supreme Court defers Surendra Gadling’s bail plea in Surajgarh arson case again

21/01/2026

Bar & Bench / by Ritwik Choudhury

“There is no case against me on merits. I am in jail for 7 years! What is this country coming to?” Gadling’s counsel told the Court today.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday deferred by one more month the bail application filed by lawyer-activist Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surajgarh arson case.
Read more

Also read:
▪ 2016 Gadchiroli Arson Case: SC Demands Improved Virtual Conferencing In Surendra Gadling’s Trial (Free Press Journal / Dec 2025)
▪ Supreme Court gives Maharashtra final chance to file affidavit on Surendra Gadling’s plea in 2016 Surjagarh mine arson case (The Leaflet / Oct 2025)
▪ 2016 Surjagarh arson case: Advocate Gadling can appear in person to argue his discharge plea, says court (The Indian Express / Oct 2025)
▪ Elgar Parishad case: HC questions Gadling’s plea, says accused can’t choose probe agency (Hindustan Times / Sep 2025)
▪ Supreme Court Seeks Explanation on Delayed Trial in 2016 Arson Case (Devdiscourse / Sep 2025)
▪ 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)
▪ Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)

SC Questions 6-Year Delay in Surendra Gadling Case, Seeks Quick Decision on Key Bhima Koregaon Records

01/12/2025 Asha

2016 Gadchiroli Arson Case: SC Demands Improved Virtual Conferencing In Surendra Gadling’s Trial

02/12/2025

Free Press Journal / by FPJ News Service

The Supreme Court directed Maharashtra to ensure proper functioning of virtual conferencing during hearings in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case after repeated technical failures. Hearing Surendra Gadling’s bail plea, the court urged expedited trial proceedings and re-listed the matter for January, addressing delays and pending applications in the case.
The Supreme Court, on Monday, told Maharashtra authorities to ensure that virtual conferencing facilities function properly during hearings in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case, after Surendra Gadling’s counsel complained that the video conferencing (VC) system routinely fails when the lawyer-activist is produced before the trial court, reports legal portal livelaw.in.
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Ensure Proper VC Facilities In Trial Of 2016 Gadchiroli Arson Case : Supreme Court To Maharashtra

01/12/2025

Live Law / by Debby Jain

The Supreme Court on Monday told Maharashtra authorities to ensure that virtual conferencing facilities function properly during hearings in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case, after Surendra Gadling’s counsel complained that the VC system routinely fails when the lawyer-activist is produced before the trial court.
The bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi was hearing Gadling’s bail plea. Gadling, who has spent 6 years and 10 months in custody, told the Court that he has been unfairly “branded” only because he appeared as counsel in certain Naxalite cases.
Read more

Supreme Court Questions 6-Year Delay in Surendra Gadling Case, Seeks Quick Decision on Key Bhima Koregaon Records

01/12/2025

LawChakra / by Hardik Khandelwal

The Supreme Court raised concerns over Surendra Gadling’s six-and-a-half-year custody without trial, directing a quick decision on pending applications. Gadling argued prolonged delays, missing electronic evidence, and unequal treatment as other accused are already on bail.
The Supreme Court of India today heard the bail plea of Surendra Gadling, who is an accused in the Elgar Parishad–Maoist links case.
The matter, titled Surendra Pundalik Gadling v. State of Maharashtra (Crl.A. No. 3742/2023), came before a Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Supreme Court gives Maharashtra final chance to file affidavit on Surendra Gadling’s plea in 2016 Surjagarh mine arson case (The Leaflet / Oct 2025)
▪ 2016 Surjagarh arson case: Advocate Gadling can appear in person to argue his discharge plea, says court (The Indian Express / Oct 2025)
▪ Elgar Parishad case: HC questions Gadling’s plea, says accused can’t choose probe agency (Hindustan Times / Sep 2025)
▪ Supreme Court Seeks Explanation on Delayed Trial in 2016 Arson Case (Devdiscourse / Sep 2025)
▪ 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)
▪ Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)

‘Malware Evidence in Their Own Reporting?’ Global Experts Reiterate Bhima Koregaon Reports, Seek End to Injustice

26/11/2025 Asha

The Wire / by Mekhala Saran

Netherlands-based digital forensics expert Robert Jan Mora found “malware, not identified as such in the (RFSL) report, on an external pen drive that was seized from Mr. [Rona] Wilson”.
In 2022, when Netherlands-based digital forensics expert Robert Jan Mora was reviewing screenshots of Pune Police reports on some of the accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, he found something strange.
The Bhima Koregaon case has garnered international infamy for the prolonged persecution of 16 human rights defenders under terrorism-related charges, with individuals and organisations from across the world calling for the release of all accused.
Read more

Also read:
▪ How an unsophisticated malware attack became India’s biggest state-sponsored cybercrime (The Polis Project / Mar 2025)
▪ India: Damning new forensic investigation reveals repeated use of Pegasus spyware to target high-profile journalists (Amnesty.org / Dec 2023)
▪ Incriminating evidence planted in computers: The Trojan solved the Bhima Koregaon case! (Anchored Narratives / Jan 2023)
▪ Fabricating Evidence Against Life and Liberty: Tampering with Fr. Stan Swamy’s computer and its implications for Bhima Koregaon case (Mumbai Rises to Save Democracy / Dec 2022)
▪ Hackers Planted Files to Frame an Indian Priest Who Died in Custody (Wired / Dec 2022)
▪ Police Linked to Hacking Campaign to Frame Indian Activists (Wired.com / June 2022)
▪ Leaked Data Shows Surveillance Net in Elgar Parishad Case May Have Crossed a Line (The Wire / July 2021)
▪ Explainer: Arsenal Report on Surendra Gadling (The Leaflet / Jul 2021)
▪ They were Accused of plotting to overthrow the Modi government – The evidence was planted, a new report says (Washington Post / Feb 2021)
▪ Why the letter about a ‘Rajiv Gandhi-type’ assassination plot to kill Modi is fake (Dailyo.in │ by Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves │ Jun 11, 2018)

SC gives Maharashtra final chance to file affidavit on Surendra Gadling’s plea in 2016 Surjagarh case

30/10/2025 Asha

Supreme Court gives Maharashtra final chance to file affidavit on Surendra Gadling’s plea in 2016 Surjagarh mine arson case

30/10/2025

The Leaflet / by Paramod Kumar

Senior Advocate Anand Grover strongly objected to the delay, pointing out that nearly six weeks had elapsed since the Court had last asked the State to explain the reasons behind the delay in trial.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the Maharashtra government a final opportunity to submit its affidavit in response to a petition filed by advocate Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case.
A Bench comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi allowed the State one more week to file its affidavit, making it clear that this would be the last extension.
Read more

2016 Gadchiroli Case: Surendra Gadling Objects To State’s Delay In Filing Affidavit Explaining Reasons For Trial’s Delay

29/10/2025

Live Law / by Debby Jain

Lawyer and activist Surendra Gadling today objected to the State of Maharashtra’s delay in filing an affidavit before the Supreme Court in his plea seeking bail in the 2016 Gadchiroli arson case.
At the request of Additional Solicitor General SV Raju (for State), a bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi however granted the State 1 week’s time to file the document, as a last opportunity.
Read more

Also read:
▪ 2016 Surjagarh arson case: Advocate Gadling can appear in person to argue his discharge plea, says court (The Indian Express / Oct 2025)
▪ Elgar Parishad case: HC questions Gadling’s plea, says accused can’t choose probe agency (Hindustan Times / Sep 2025)
▪ Supreme Court Seeks Explanation on Delayed Trial in 2016 Arson Case (Devdiscourse / Sep 2025)
▪ 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)
▪ Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)

2016 Surjagarh arson case: Advocate Gadling can appear in person to argue his discharge plea, says court

17/10/2025 Asha

The Indian Express / by Sadaf Modak

Observing that denying permission to advocate Surendra Gadling to argue his discharge application in person, pending for nearly three years in a case in Gadchiroli, would “compound the injustice already caused by the inordinate delay”, a special court in Aheri directed that arrangements be made for him to be produced before it on October 28.
Read more

Also read:
▪ Elgar Parishad case: HC questions Gadling’s plea, says accused can’t choose probe agency (Hindustan Times / Sep 2025)
▪ Supreme Court Seeks Explanation on Delayed Trial in 2016 Arson Case (Devdiscourse / Sep 2025)
▪ 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)
▪ Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)

Mumbai Police Book TISS Students For Event On GN Saibaba Death Anniversary; Rekindles 2017 Incident

14/10/2025 Asha

Mumbai Police Book TISS Students For Maoist-Linked GN Saibaba Death Anniversary; Rekindles 2017 Incident Of Taking Students To Naxal Training Camps In Forest

14/10/2025

The Communemag / by The Commune

The Mumbai Police on 13 October 2025 registered a First Information Report (FIR) against at least ten students of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) for allegedly organizing an event to commemorate the death anniversary of former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba.
… This incident is not the first time TISS has been linked to allegations involving Naxalite activities. In 2018, as per an India Today report, the Maharashtra Police had claimed that accused activist Mahesh Raut, an alumnus of TISS, had taken students from the institute to meet underground Maoist leaders in forest areas.
Read more

When a spontaneous gathering of students is criminalised

15/10/2025

Groundxero / by freespeechcollective

Recording the sequence of events and observations on the current events unfolding in TISS, Mumbai, from students’ perspective
What is the price of political engagement and learning in a higher educational institute in India? It seems that young people who seek to read, talk to each other and understand any issue are slapped with FIRs before they can fully make up their minds on what stance to take.
On Sunday, 12 October 2025, students at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai gathered to read a few poems written by Professor GN Saibaba to mark his death anniversary. They gathered in a peaceful manner, read the poems, placed a few candles around a photograph of Professor Saibaba and dispersed—all in about ten minutes. For many of the students, this year has been the first time they have learnt of the scholar and activist’s life, work, and death. The gathering came as a spontaneous response to discovering his poems.
Read more

Also read/watch:
▪ G.N. Saibaba’s Lifelong Campaign Was Against the Violence of Silencing (The Wire | by Rona Wilson | Oct 2024)
▪ G.N. Saibaba’s Life Is Not Just a Chronicle of His Times, but Also What the Times Refused to Chronicle (The Wire / Oct 2024)
▪ Surendra Gadling’s Computer Was Attacked, Incriminating Documents Planted: Arsenal Consulting (The Wire / July 2021)

▪ Video: State’s Job is to Serve People, Not Punish Them: G N Saibaba

en | 38:33 | 2024

Newsclick / by Newsclick Team

Former DU professor G.N. Saibaba, who passed away in Hyderabad on Saturday, had recounted his harrowing ordeal during 10 years in jail at a press conference in New Delhi in March this year.
Watch video

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

26/09/2025 Asha

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

24/09/2025 Asha

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.
Read more

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)