Bhima-Koregaon Case: Supreme Court Grants Bail To Activist Varavara Rao

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to poet and activist P Varavara Rao on medical grounds in the Bhima-Koregaon case.

A bench headed by Justice U U Lalit said he shall not misuse the liberty in any manner while granting bail to  Varavara Rao. 

Varavara Rao, who had challenged the Bombay High Court's April 13 order rejecting his plea for permanent bail on medical grounds, is currently on interim bail.

The case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial.

The Pune Police had also claimed the conclave was organised by people with alleged Maoist links. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) later took over the investigation into the case.

Varavara 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 (UAPA).

Also Read: Varavara Rao’s Permanent Bail Plea Dismissed, Bombay HC Extends Bail for Eye Surgery