The Supreme Court Friday refused to interfere in the arrest of five rights activists in connection with the Koregaon-Bhima violence case and declined to appoint a SIT for probe into their arrest.

The three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in a 2:1 verdict, refused the plea seeking the immediate release of the activists.&nbsp;

The majority verdict said accused persons cannot choose which investigating agency should probe the case, and this was not a case of arrest merely because of difference in political views.

Justice A M Khanwilkar read out the majority verdict for himself and the CJI, while Justice D Y Chandrachud said he was unable to agree with view of the two judges.

Justice Chandrachud, in his judgement dissenting with the majority, said arrest of the five accused was an attempt by state to muzzle dissent, and dissent is symbol of a vibrant democracy.

The five activists -- Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Sudha Bharadwaj and Gautam Navlakha -- are under arrest at their respective homes since August 29.

The Maharashtra police had arrested them on August 28 in connection with an FIR lodged following a conclave -- 'Elgaar Parishad' -- held on December 31 last year that had later triggered violence at Koregaon-Bhima village in the state.

Prominent Telugu poet Rao was arrested on August 28 from Hyderabad, while activists Gonsalves and Ferreira were nabbed from Mumbai, trade union activist Sudha Bharadwaj from Faridabad in Haryana and civil liberties activist Navlakha from Delhi.&nbsp;

The majority verdict said the protection of house arrest of the activists will remain in force for four more weeks to enable the accused to seek appropriate legal remedy at appropriate legal forum.

It said arrests were not because of dissent of activists but there was prima facie material to show their link with banned CPI (Maoist) organisation.

The majority verdict disagreed with the PIL by historian Romila Thapar and others seeking the immediate release of five rights activist, with liberty to the accused to seek remedy in appropriate court.

Justice Khanwilkar said the protection of house arrest shall remain in force for four weeks to enable the accused to seek legal remedy.

He refrained from commenting on the case saying it may prejudice case of accused and prosecution.

Justice Chandrachud said liberty cherished by the Constitution would have no meaning if persecution of the five activists is allowed without proper investigation.

He said the petition was genuine and lashes out at Maharashtra police for press meet, distribution of letters to media.

Justice Chandrachud said the court should proceed as if personal practices are essential but whether they are derogatory to liberty, dignity enshrined in Fundamental Rights.

He said letters alleged to be written by activist Sudha Bhardwaj were flashed on TV channels. Police selectively disclosing the probe details to media amounts to casting cloud on fair investigation, he said.

The Supreme Court Friday refused to interfere in the arrest of five rights activists in connection with the Koregaon-Bhima violence case and declined to appoint a SIT for probe into their arrest.

The Supreme Court Friday refused to interfere in the arrest of five rights activists in connection with the Koregaon-Bhima violence case and declined to appoint a SIT for probe into their arrest. The three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in a 2:1 verdict, refused the plea seeking the immediate release of the activists. The majority verdict said accused persons cannot choose which investigating agency should probe the case, and this was not a case of arrest merely because of difference in political views. Justice A M Khanwilkar read out the majority verdict for himself and the CJI, while Justice D Y Chandrachud said he was unable to agree with view of the two judges. Justice Chandrachud, in his judgement dissenting with the majority, said arrest of the five accused was an attempt by state to muzzle dissent, and dissent is symbol of a vibrant democracy. The five activists -- Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Sudha Bharadwaj and Gautam Navlakha -- are under arrest at their respective homes since August 29. The Maharashtra police had arrested them on August 28 in connection with an FIR lodged following a conclave -- 'Elgaar Parishad' -- held on December 31 last year that had later triggered violence at Koregaon-Bhima village in the state. Prominent Telugu poet Rao was arrested on August 28 from Hyderabad, while activists Gonsalves and Ferreira were nabbed from Mumbai, trade union activist Sudha Bharadwaj from Faridabad in Haryana and civil liberties activist Navlakha from Delhi. The majority verdict said the protection of house arrest of the activists will remain in force for four more weeks to enable the accused to seek appropriate legal remedy at appropriate legal forum. It said arrests were not because of dissent of activists but there was prima facie material to show their link with banned CPI (Maoist) organisation. The majority verdict disagreed with the PIL by historian Romila Thapar and others seeking the immediate release of five rights activist, with liberty to the accused to seek remedy in appropriate court. Justice Khanwilkar said the protection of house arrest shall remain in force for four weeks to enable the accused to seek legal remedy. He refrained from commenting on the case saying it may prejudice case of accused and prosecution. Justice Chandrachud said liberty cherished by the Constitution would have no meaning if persecution of the five activists is allowed without proper investigation. He said the petition was genuine and lashes out at Maharashtra police for press meet, distribution of letters to media. Justice Chandrachud said the court should proceed as if personal practices are essential but whether they are derogatory to liberty, dignity enshrined in Fundamental Rights. He said letters alleged to be written by activist Sudha Bhardwaj were flashed on TV channels. Police selectively disclosing the probe details to media amounts to casting cloud on fair investigation, he said.

Koregaon-Bhima case: Supreme Court refuses to interfere with arrest of five activists

Police in Pune has arrested 43 people in connection with the Koregaon-Bhima violence that was erupted in Pune which caused <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-comes-to-standstill-after-protest-over-bhima-koregaon-violence-28412">Maharashtra standstill </a>on January 1.

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Pune: Police have arrested 43 people including 3 minors so far in connection with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KoregaonBhimaviolence?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KoregaonBhimaviolence</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/950928237009383425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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All the arrested accused were&nbsp;from Pune also includes three minors.

On the 200th anniversary of the Koregaon Bhima battle, clashes broke out between the Dalits and alleged right-wing groups on January 1, across towns and cities in Maharashtra.

The Dalit protesters blocked major roads in Mumbai, disrupted road traffic and train services, bringing the life to a standstill after over 160 buses were damaged and heavy security was deployed to control the situation.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
One youth also died in a clash after which <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/devendra-fadnavis-announces-cid-investigation-into-pune-violence-28370">Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered Crime investigation department</a> to probe the matter.

A compensation of 10 lakh was also announced to the deceased&#39;s family.

On the day of protest, nearly 100 protesters were also detained.&nbsp;

On January 8 also the Dalit organisation of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bhima-koregaon-violence-bandh-called-in-karnatakas-hubli-28882">Karnataka&#39;s Hubli</a> called for a bandh to protest against the Koregaon violence in Pune. 
&nbsp;

All the arrested accused were from Pune also includes three minors

Police in Pune has arrested 43 people in connection with the Koregaon-Bhima violence that was erupted in Pune which caused Maharashtra standstill on January 1. Pune: Police have arrested 43 people including 3 minors so far in connection with #KoregaonBhimaviolence — ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2018 × All the arrested accused were from Pune also includes three minors. On the 200th anniversary of the Koregaon Bhima battle, clashes broke out between the Dalits and alleged right-wing groups on January 1, across towns and cities in Maharashtra. The Dalit protesters blocked major roads in Mumbai, disrupted road traffic and train services, bringing the life to a standstill after over 160 buses were damaged and heavy security was deployed to control the situation. One youth also died in a clash after which Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered Crime investigation department to probe the matter. A compensation of 10 lakh was also announced to the deceased's family. On the day of protest, nearly 100 protesters were also detained. On January 8 also the Dalit organisation of Karnataka's Hubli called for a bandh to protest against the Koregaon violence in Pune.

Koregaon-Bhima violence: 43 arrested in Pune

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Koregaon-Bhima case: Supreme Court refuses to interfere with arrest of five activists

Koregaon-Bhima violence: 43 arrested in Pune