The Supreme Court of India&nbsp;on Tuesday (May 14)&nbsp;granted bail&nbsp;to Gautam Navlakha, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence case, observing that the trial is unlikely to end&nbsp;soon.

A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and S V N Bhatti refused to extend the stay imposed by the Bombay High Court in December 2023 on its bail order. The court also stipulated that Navlakha must pay Rs 20 lakh to cover security expenses during his house arrest.

The bench pointed out that Navlakha has been in custody for over four years, the trial involves 370 witnesses, six co-accused have already been granted bail, and charges have yet to be framed.

“Prima facie we are of the view that there is no need to extend the interim order of bail. The appellant has been in incarceration for more than four years and charges are yet to be framed…the High Court by detailed order has deemed fit to grant bail. The trial would take years and years and years to complete…Thus…we are not inclined to extend the stay,” the court said and asked Navlakha to cooperate with the trial.

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The court was addressing an appeal from the NIA challenging the high court's decision to grant Navlakha bail. The NIA's counsel argued that the allegations against Navlakha were serious and noted that not all co-accused had been granted bail.

While granting Navlakha bail, the high court had said that “no covert or overt terrorist act has been attributed to him under Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967”.&nbsp;

Navlakha was placed under house arrest in Navi Mumbai under strict conditions following a November 2022 Supreme Court directive, citing his claimed poor health.

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Although the special NIA court, in denying Navlakha's bail request, had indicated initial evidence of a connection between him and Syed Gulam Nabi Fai—convicted by a US court in 2012 for ties to the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI—the high court stated this had no bearing on the current case. According to the NIA, Navlakha had communicated with the US court seeking leniency for Fai.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday (May 14) granted bail to Gautam Navlakha, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence case, observing that the trial is unlikely to end soon.

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday (May 14) granted bail to Gautam Navlakha, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence case, observing that the trial is unlikely to end soon. A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and S V N Bhatti refused to extend the stay imposed by the Bombay High Court in December 2023 on its bail order. The court also stipulated that Navlakha must pay Rs 20 lakh to cover security expenses during his house arrest. The bench pointed out that Navlakha has been in custody for over four years, the trial involves 370 witnesses, six co-accused have already been granted bail, and charges have yet to be framed. “Prima facie we are of the view that there is no need to extend the interim order of bail. The appellant has been in incarceration for more than four years and charges are yet to be framed…the High Court by detailed order has deemed fit to grant bail. The trial would take years and years and years to complete…Thus…we are not inclined to extend the stay,” the court said and asked Navlakha to cooperate with the trial. Also read | Mumbai hoarding collapse: India's largest as per Limca Book of Records, the billboard wasn't cleared by BMC The court was addressing an appeal from the NIA challenging the high court's decision to grant Navlakha bail. The NIA's counsel argued that the allegations against Navlakha were serious and noted that not all co-accused had been granted bail. While granting Navlakha bail, the high court had said that “no covert or overt terrorist act has been attributed to him under Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967”. Navlakha was placed under house arrest in Navi Mumbai under strict conditions following a November 2022 Supreme Court directive, citing his claimed poor health. Also watch | PM Modi files nomination from Varanasi Although the special NIA court, in denying Navlakha's bail request, had indicated initial evidence of a connection between him and Syed Gulam Nabi Fai—convicted by a US court in 2012 for ties to the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI—the high court stated this had no bearing on the current case. According to the NIA, Navlakha had communicated with the US court seeking leniency for Fai. (With inputs from agencies)

Bhima Koregaon case: India’s top court grants bail to Gautam Navlakha, says trial may ‘take years'

The Supreme Court of India on Friday granted bail to two activists — Vernon Gonsalves&nbsp;and Arun Ferreira — in the Bhima Koregaon case.

Gonsalves and Ferreria were sent to jail in 2018 on charges of inciting violence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

They were arrested in connection with the caste-based violence that broke out near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune and for having alleged links with the outlawed outfit, Communist Party of India (Maoists).

The Bombay High Court in December 2021 rejected their bail plea, following which the activists approached the top court to seek relief.

<h2>SC grants relief </h2>

A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sudhanshu Dhulia granted bail to the two activists considering that they have been under custody for almost five years.

Although the allegations against them are serious, that alone cannot be the sole ground to deny bail and justify their continued detention pending the trial, the apex court said.

The advocates of the plaintiff argued that the National Investigative Agency (NIA) had insufficient material to implicate the appellants.

<h2>SC gives bail with strict conditions </h2>

While granting bail, the court spelled out some strict conditions considering the seriousness of the offences they have allegedly committed, reports LiveLaw.

The judges have asked Gonsalves and Ferreira not to leave Maharashtra without obtaining the trial court's permission.

Further, they have been ordered to surrender their passports and inform the NIA of their residential addresses and mobile phone numbers.

They are also restricted to using only one mobile connection each during the period of their bail.

The court further directed that the phones of Gonsalves and Ferreira be paired with the NIA investigating officer's (IO) device so that their locations can be tracked at all times.

They shall keep the location status of their mobile phones active 24 hours a day, &amp; their phone shall be paired with NIA's IO to enable him to identify, the court stated.

They have also been asked to report to the investigating officer once a week.

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“Their phones must remain charged round the clock to ensure the battery does not drain out. If there is any breach of these conditions, or if any attempt is made to threaten witnesses, the prosecution has the right to seek cancellation of bail," the bench said in its verdict.

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Apart from Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, the NIA has named 14 others for the December 2017 caste violence that broke out near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune.

Five people allegedly having close Maoist links were arrested in June 2018 from Mumbai, Nagpur, and Delhi in connection with Elgar Parishad event — to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima — held on December 31, 2017.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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The Supreme Court of India on Friday granted bail to two activists — Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira — in the Bhima Koregaon case. Gonsalves and Ferreria were sent to jail in 2018 on charges of inciting violence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The Supreme Court of India on Friday granted bail to two activists — Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira — in the Bhima Koregaon case. Gonsalves and Ferreria were sent to jail in 2018 on charges of inciting violence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. They were arrested in connection with the caste-based violence that broke out near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune and for having alleged links with the outlawed outfit, Communist Party of India (Maoists). The Bombay High Court in December 2021 rejected their bail plea, following which the activists approached the top court to seek relief. SC grants relief A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sudhanshu Dhulia granted bail to the two activists considering that they have been under custody for almost five years. Although the allegations against them are serious, that alone cannot be the sole ground to deny bail and justify their continued detention pending the trial, the apex court said. The advocates of the plaintiff argued that the National Investigative Agency (NIA) had insufficient material to implicate the appellants. SC gives bail with strict conditions While granting bail, the court spelled out some strict conditions considering the seriousness of the offences they have allegedly committed, reports LiveLaw. The judges have asked Gonsalves and Ferreira not to leave Maharashtra without obtaining the trial court's permission. Further, they have been ordered to surrender their passports and inform the NIA of their residential addresses and mobile phone numbers. They are also restricted to using only one mobile connection each during the period of their bail. The court further directed that the phones of Gonsalves and Ferreira be paired with the NIA investigating officer's (IO) device so that their locations can be tracked at all times. They shall keep the location status of their mobile phones active 24 hours a day, & their phone shall be paired with NIA's IO to enable him to identify, the court stated. They have also been asked to report to the investigating officer once a week. Also read | India: Kashmir government allows Muharram procession after three decades in Srinagar “Their phones must remain charged round the clock to ensure the battery does not drain out. If there is any breach of these conditions, or if any attempt is made to threaten witnesses, the prosecution has the right to seek cancellation of bail," the bench said in its verdict. Also read | 'Unacceptable': India slams China over stapled visas issued to three Wushu fighters from Arunachal Apart from Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, the NIA has named 14 others for the December 2017 caste violence that broke out near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune. Five people allegedly having close Maoist links were arrested in June 2018 from Mumbai, Nagpur, and Delhi in connection with Elgar Parishad event — to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Koregaon Bhima — held on December 31, 2017. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Supreme Court of India grants bail to two activists in Bhima Koregaon case

The United Nations body on human rights has expressed anguish over the death of Jesuit priest Stan Swamy. The death of 84-year old tribal rights activist as a pre-trial prisoner in the Bhima Koregaon case has led to widespread expressions.

UN Human Rights body expresses anguish over death of Father Stan Swamy

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday denied bail to Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves arrested in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence case.

The single-judge bench of Justice Sarang Kotwal was hearing the plea filed by the activists on a regular basis since August 27.

On January 1 in 2018, violence had erupted at Bhima-Koregaon battle, leaving one dead and several injured, including 10 policemen.

The trio was booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including waging a war and sedition.

They are accused of having links with banned Naxal groups.

Apart from the three activists, poet Varavara Rao and Gautam Navlakha were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the violence.

The police had filed 58 cases against 162 people during a state-wide shutdown in January following clashes in Bhima-Koregaon.&nbsp;

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday denied bail to Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves arrested in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence case.

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday denied bail to Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves arrested in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence case. The single-judge bench of Justice Sarang Kotwal was hearing the plea filed by the activists on a regular basis since August 27. On January 1 in 2018, violence had erupted at Bhima-Koregaon battle, leaving one dead and several injured, including 10 policemen. The trio was booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including waging a war and sedition. They are accused of having links with banned Naxal groups. Apart from the three activists, poet Varavara Rao and Gautam Navlakha were also arrested for their alleged involvement in the violence. The police had filed 58 cases against 162 people during a state-wide shutdown in January following clashes in Bhima-Koregaon.

Bhima Koregaon case: Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves denied bail

Anand Teltumbde, an accused in Bhima Koregaon case, has been arrested by Pune Police from Mumbai early morning on Saturday.

The Pune Sessions Court on Friday rejected an anticipatory bail application of the activist and professor.

"In my view, there is sufficient material collected by the investigating officer to show the involvement of the present accused in the alleged commission of the offence. Moreover, investigation in respect of present applicant/accused is at (a) very crucial stage," said an order pronounced by special judge KD Vadane.

Presently, he has been kept at Ville Parle police station in Mumbai.

Last month, the Supreme Court dismissed Teltumbde`s plea seeking quashing of an FIR registered against him by the Pune Police in connection with the Bhima-Koregaonviolence.

On January 1 last year, violence had erupted during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle, leaving one dead and several injured. 
&nbsp;

Anand Teltumbde, an accused in Bhima Koregaon case, has been arrested by Pune Police from Mumbai early morning on Saturday. The Pune Sessions Court on Friday rejected an anticipatory bail application of the activist and professor.

Anand Teltumbde, an accused in Bhima Koregaon case, has been arrested by Pune Police from Mumbai early morning on Saturday. The Pune Sessions Court on Friday rejected an anticipatory bail application of the activist and professor. "In my view, there is sufficient material collected by the investigating officer to show the involvement of the present accused in the alleged commission of the offence. Moreover, investigation in respect of present applicant/accused is at (a) very crucial stage," said an order pronounced by special judge KD Vadane. Presently, he has been kept at Ville Parle police station in Mumbai. Last month, the Supreme Court dismissed Teltumbde`s plea seeking quashing of an FIR registered against him by the Pune Police in connection with the Bhima-Koregaonviolence. On January 1 last year, violence had erupted during the 200th-anniversary celebrations of Bhima-Koregaon battle, leaving one dead and several injured.

Activist Anand Teltumbde accused in Bhima Koregaon case arrested at Mumbai airport

Activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, both accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, have been sent to police custody till November 6 by a Pune Sessions Court.

On Friday, the Supreme Court rejected a review petition filed by historian Romila Thapar against the verdict that refused a Special Investigation Team-led (SIT) probe into the house arrests of five activists in the case in August and allowed Maharashtra Police to continue with the investigation.

On Wednesday, the apex court declined to hold an urgent hearing over Thapar's review plea against its ruling.

The top court allowed the Maharashtra Police to continue with its probe.

Thapar, along with four other activists, had earlier filed a petition in the apex court against the house arrest of the five activists in connection to the Bhima Koregaon violence case.

On September 28, the top court turned down the request and extended the house arrest.

The five activists, namely poet Vara Vara Rao, lawyer Sudha Bhardwaj, activists Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, and Gautam Navlakha, have been under house arrest since August 29 for their alleged involvement in the violence which took place on January 1.

The five accused were arrested from various cities for their alleged involvement in the violence that erupted earlier this year during the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle. One person was killed and scores were injured in the clashes.&nbsp;

Activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, both accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, have been sent to police custody till November 6 by a Pune Sessions Court.

Activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, both accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, have been sent to police custody till November 6 by a Pune Sessions Court. On Friday, the Supreme Court rejected a review petition filed by historian Romila Thapar against the verdict that refused a Special Investigation Team-led (SIT) probe into the house arrests of five activists in the case in August and allowed Maharashtra Police to continue with the investigation. On Wednesday, the apex court declined to hold an urgent hearing over Thapar's review plea against its ruling. The top court allowed the Maharashtra Police to continue with its probe. Thapar, along with four other activists, had earlier filed a petition in the apex court against the house arrest of the five activists in connection to the Bhima Koregaon violence case. On September 28, the top court turned down the request and extended the house arrest. The five activists, namely poet Vara Vara Rao, lawyer Sudha Bhardwaj, activists Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, and Gautam Navlakha, have been under house arrest since August 29 for their alleged involvement in the violence which took place on January 1. The five accused were arrested from various cities for their alleged involvement in the violence that erupted earlier this year during the 200th anniversary of the Bhima Koregaon battle. One person was killed and scores were injured in the clashes.

Bhima Koregaon case: Gonsalves, Ferreira sent to police custody till November 6

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