Today, On 14th June, In the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, the Supreme Court asked the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to provide its stance on an activist’s plea for interim bail. The case involves allegations of connections between the Elgar Parishad event and Maoist groups, leading to arrests of several activists. The activist in question seeks temporary relief, citing health and humanitarian grounds.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to seek instructions on a plea filed by Mahesh Raut, an activist accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. Raut sought interim bail to attend rituals following the death of his grandmother.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and Augustine George Masih scheduled the matter for a hearing on June 21.
The bench questioned the counsel representing Raut,
“The funeral took place on May 26. What ceremonies are left, and when will they occur?”
Senior advocate Mihir Desai, appearing on behalf of Raut, explained that an interim bail request to travel to Gadchiroli for the post-funeral ceremonies following his grandmother’s passing.
Last September, the Supreme Court extended the stay granted by the Bombay High Court on its decision to grant bail to Raut.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) previously challenged the Bombay High Court’s order granting bail to 33-year-old Raut in the Supreme Court. Raut arrested in June 2018 and is currently in judicial custody at the Taloja prison.
Raut, a forest rights activist, charged with the offence of engaging in a ‘terrorist act‘ under Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967. This charge was in connection with alleged Maoist links related to the Bhima Koregaon violence in 2018.
In September 2023, the Bombay High Court granted Raut bail in the case after prima facie observing that no evidence against him. However, the High Court itself stayed the bail order, and this stay order subsequently extended by the Supreme Court.
The matter now set to be heard by the Supreme Court on June 21.
The case related to the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017. According to the Pune Police, the conclave funded by Maoists and the inflammatory speeches made there led to violence at the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial the following day.
The case was later taken over by the NIA for investigation.
The court’s directive to the NIA to respond by the next hearing highlights the importance of ensuring a fair judicial process while balancing national security concerns. The plea also brings to the fore the debate on the use of UAPA and the treatment of individuals accused of terrorism-related activities.
As the Supreme Court awaits the NIA’s detailed response, the outcome of this plea could have significant ramifications for the other accused in the case and for the broader discourse on civil rights and state power in India.