Bhima Koregaon case: Supreme Court grants bail to activist Varavara Rao on medical grounds
10 Aug 2022 15:04:42
Mumbai, August 10: The Supreme Court on Wednesday, granted bail to activist Varavara Rao, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, on medical grounds. While granting bail, a bench headed by Justice U U Lalit, said he shall not misuse the liberty in any manner.
Rao was arrested on August 28, 2018 from his Hyderabad residence and is an under-trial in the case. An FIR was lodged by the Pune Police on January 8, 2018 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The 83-year-old, who has challenged the Bombay High Court order rejecting his petition for permanent medical bail, is currently on interim bail on medical grounds and was to surrender on July 12. The apex court had on July 12, extended Rao’s interim protection till further orders.
The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial on the outskirts of the western Maharashtra city.
The Pune police had also claimed that the conclave was organised by people with alleged Maoist links. The NIA later took over the probe into the matter.