On 7th March, The NIA insists that activist Gautam Navlakha pay Rs 1.64 crore for security during his house arrest, prompting a dispute. Navlakha, under house arrest since November 2022 in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, challenges the figure, calling it ‘extortion.’
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NEW DELHI: Today(on 7th March), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has asserted that activist Gautam Navlakha should bear the costs amounting to Rs 1.64 crore for the police personnel assigned to his security during his house arrest. This development has sparked a contentious debate, with Navlakha’s legal representation challenging the figure and accusing the agency of overstepping its bounds.
Gautam Navlakha, a 70-year-old activist entangled in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, has been under house arrest since November 2022, following the Supreme Court’s directive due to his deteriorating health. Initially, Navlakha was detained in Navi Mumbai’s Taloja prison before the shift to house arrest, which was seen as a humanitarian gesture considering his health concerns.
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During the court proceedings, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the NIA, informed a bench comprising Justice M M Sundresh and SVN Bhatti that Navlakha has so far contributed only Rs 10 lakh towards the security expenses.
“He must pay some amount,”
–Raju emphasized, highlighting the financial burden of round-the-clock security.
However, Navlakha’s defense, led by Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, contested the NIA’s demand, arguing that the calculated sum of Rs 1.64 crore was inaccurately assessed and contradicted applicable regulations. Ramakrishnan argued-
“We have contested this amount by NIA and the matter needs to be heard. They cannot demand one crore from citizens for keeping them in custody.”
She further criticized the agency’s stance, stating-
“Even by their own rules, this is not the amount. And therefore there cannot be extortion. A poor man can never get out,”
thereby challenging the notion that citizens should bear such hefty costs for house arrest.
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The term “extortion” used by Navlakha’s counsel was met with strong objection from Raju, who refuted the characterization of the agency’s actions. Amidst this legal tussle, the Supreme Court has decided that the issue requires thorough examination and has scheduled the case for a detailed hearing in April.
The ongoing legal battle stems from the events surrounding the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017. The NIA alleges that inflammatory speeches made during the conclave incited violence the following day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial, leading to the arrest of 16 activists, including Navlakha. Currently, five of the accused have been granted bail.
The Supreme Court’s previous interventions in Navlakha’s case have been significant. Initially, the court allowed his transfer to house arrest, considering his health, and set a precedent by mandating the payment of Rs 2.4 lakh for security expenses, followed by an additional demand of Rs 8 lakh.
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The impending April discussions in the Supreme Court hold significance, with expectations focused not only on the resolution of Navlakha’s financial responsibilities but also on the broader implications concerning the expenses tied to house arrests and the government’s responsibility in safeguarding the rights and security of individuals undergoing legal scrutiny.
