The Supreme Court on Thursday postponed the hearing on the bail applications of advocate Surendra Gadling and activist Jyoti Jagtap, both arrested under allegations of links to Maoist activities in the Elgar Parishad case. Additionally, the court deferred proceedings on a petition by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which contests the bail previously granted to activist Mahesh Raut by the Bombay High Court.
The bench, composed of Justices M M Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal, responded to requests from senior advocates representing the accused. Anand Grover, representing Gadling, denied accusations of trial delays and sought additional time to gather necessary records. Meanwhile, Mihir Desai, appearing for both Jagtap and Raut, urged the court to expedite the hearing.
Gadling is implicated in aiding Maoist activities and conspiring with others, some of whom remain absconding. He faces charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Indian Penal Code for allegedly providing secret government information and logistical support to underground Maoist groups. Among the accusations, it is claimed that Gadling encouraged opposition to the operation of Surjagarh mines and incited local support for the Maoist movement.
Jyoti Jagtap, an activist and member of the Kabir Kala Manch (KKM), was identified as actively participating in the 2017 Elgar Parishad conclave in Pune, where her performance allegedly included aggressive and provocative slogans. The Bombay High Court had previously ruled that there were reasonable grounds to believe the NIA’s accusations of her involvement in conspiring and advocating terrorist acts.
The NIA has labeled KKM as a front for the Communist Party of India (Maoist), further complicating the legal proceedings for Jagtap. Her bail appeal was denied by the high court, which upheld a special court’s decision from February 2022.
The Elgar Parishad conclave, held at Pune’s historic Shaniwarwada on December 31, 2017, is at the center of this controversy. The NIA argues that the event’s allegedly provocative speeches contributed to violence the following day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial.
