A vision of the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi. File | Photo credit: RV Moorthy
The Supreme Court on Thursday (February 6, 2025) postponed the hearing on the bail statement of the Southern Gadling defender and activist Jyoti Jagtap arrested in the case of the links of Elgar Parishad-Maoist.
A Bank of Judges MM Sindesh and Rajesh Bindal also deferred the hearing on the petition presented by the National Research Agency (NIA) that challenges the bond granted to activist Mahesh Raut.
The Superior Court of Bombay gave him the bond, but the order remained after the NIA sought the suspension in the verdict to challenge him before the Supreme Court.
The senior lawyer Anand Grover, appearing for Gadling, refuted that the defendant was delaying the trial and sought time to produce the records.
The main lawyer Mihira Desai, who appears for Jagtap and Raut, asked the court to publish the matter as very early.
The additional general lawyer SV Raju, who represents the NIA, said that the order of the Superior Court of Bombay that grants bail to RAUT was “absolutely perverse.” The Supreme Court said it will occupy all matters together and postponed the hearing.
Gadling was accused of providing help to the Maoists and supposedly conspiring with several accessories, including those who escape in the case.
It was reserved under several provisions of the Law on the Prevention of illegal Activities, and the CPI and the Prosecutor’s Office said that Gadling provided secret information about government activities and maps of certain areas to underground Maoist rebels.
According to the reports, he asked the Maoists to oppose the operation of the Mines of Survey, and instigated several locals to join the movement.
Gadling also faced the case of Elgar Parishad-Maoist Links in relation to the alleged provocative speeches pronounced in the conclave of Elgar Parishad held in Pune on December 31, 2017. The police claimed the speeches triggered violence the next day near the monument of the Korega-Bhima War in Pune in Pune District.
The Superior Court had said that Jagtap was an active member of the Kabir Kala Manch (KKM) group, which during his game in the “Elgar Parishad” conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017 gave not only “aggressive but highly provocative slogans” .
“We are of the opinion considered that there are reasonable reasons to believe the accusations or accusations of the NIA against the appellant [Jagtap] Having conspired, attempted, lawyer and abstained by the commission of a terrorist law as a true facie cousin, ”said the court.
According to the NIA, KKM is a frontal organization of the Communist Party of India (Maoist).
The Superior Court had dismissed the appeal filed by the activist-cum-Singer challenging an order of February 2022 of a special court that rejected his bond.
Elgar Parishad’s conclave 2017 was held in Shaniwarwada, a 18th century palace located in the heart of the city of Pune.
Published – February 6, 2025 01:18 pm ist
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