In a significant development in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgaar Parishad conspiracy case, the Supreme Court on Friday granted interim bail for two weeks to Mahesh Raut, an accused, to participate in the last rites ceremonies of his deceased grandmother.
A Vacation Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath made the decision, taking into account the circumstances of the case and the duration Raut has already spent in custody.
The interim bail period will begin from 26 June 2024, and conclude on 10 July 2024.
The Bench, which also included Justice S V N Bhatti, directed the Special Court (NIA) to set the terms and conditions of Raut’s release.
It authorized the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to propose stringent conditions to the trial court as deemed necessary.
The Supreme Court emphasized that Raut must surrender without fail on 10 July 2024.
Authorities detained Mahesh Raut since 6 June 2018, alleging connections with Maoists.
In September last year, the Bombay High Court granted him bail, but the NIA delayed its implementation by a week to file a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court.
Responding to the NIA’s appeal, the Supreme Court had issued interim orders preventing Raut’s release until further notice.
Earlier in July 2023, the apex court had granted bail to two other accused individuals, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, who had been incarcerated since August 2018.
Activists of Kabir Kala Manch delivered provocative speeches during the Elgar Parishad event at Shaniwarwada in Pune on 31 December 2017. These speeches allegedly incited violence and hostility among various caste groups.
This resulted in widespread agitation, loss of life, and damage to property across Maharashtra.
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