The Supreme Court has agreed to schedule a hearing next week for the bail application of advocate Surendra Gadling, who has been in prison for seven and a half years in connection with the 2018 Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case.
A three-judge bench consisting of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana scheduled the matter following an urgent request by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Gadling. Sibal told the court that although a notice regarding the bail plea was initially issued in 2023, the case has faced repeated delays due to recusals. The bench assured that the matter would be listed within the next week or so.
History Of Judicial Delays
This is not the first time Gadling’s legal team has raised concerns over the prolonged timeline of his bail application. On August 8, 2025, senior advocate Anand Grover, representing Gadling at the time, approached then Chief Justice B.R. Gavai for an expedited hearing, pointing out that the bail plea had been adjourned 11 times in the Supreme Court.
Additionally, on March 27 last year, the apex court postponed the bail hearings for both Gadling and co-accused activist Jyoti Jagtap. During the same session, the court also deferred a petition filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) challenging the bail granted to activist Mahesh Raut. The Bombay High Court had previously granted bail to Raut, but the order was stayed after the NIA appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.
Case Details And Allegations
The prosecution has charged Gadling under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Authorities allege that Gadling provided logistical and material support to Maoist rebels, conspired with multiple co-accused—including some who remain at large—and shared confidential government data and maps with underground insurgents.
The state also alleges that Gadling instigated local residents to join the Maoist movement and instructed rebel groups to oppose operations at the Surjagarh mines. Furthermore, his charges are linked to alleged provocative speeches delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave on December 31, 2017, held at the Shaniwarwada palace-fort in Pune. Police claim these speeches triggered violent clashes the following day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune district.
Regarding co-accused Jyoti Jagtap, the Bombay High Court previously rejected her appeal against a February 2022 special court order denying her bail. The high court noted that Jagtap was an active member of the Kabir Kala Manch, which allegedly raised highly aggressive and provocative slogans during a stage play at the 2017 conclave. The NIA designates the Kabir Kala Manch as a front organization for the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist).
