Supreme Court Schedules Hearing for Gadling's Bail Plea in Elgar Parishad Case

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI): The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for advocate Surendra Gadling's bail plea for September 3. Gadling is an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. The decision was made after a bench involving Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices NV Anjaria and Alok Aradhe was informed about Justice M M Sundresh's recusal from the case on August 26. The CJI confirmed, “The bail plea would come up for hearing on Wednesday.” Previously, a bench of justices Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh was meant to hear the bail appeal. On August 8, senior advocate Anand Grover requested an early hearing from CJI Gavai, citing Gadling's incarceration exceeding six years. Grover stated, "The bail plea has been adjourned 11 times in the Supreme Court." Earlier, on March 27, the Supreme Court deferred the bail hearings for Gadling and activist Jyoti Jagtap. The court also postponed the NIA's petition challenging the Bombay High Court’s decision to grant bail to activist Mahesh Raut. The NIA appealed and successfully stayed the high court's order. Gadling faces charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the IPC, with accusations of aiding Maoists and conspiring with others. Authorities claim he shared confidential information about government activities and maps with Maoist rebels, incited opposition to the Surjagarh mines, and encouraged locals to join their cause. Gadling is involved in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, linked to provocative speeches allegedly given at the Elgar Parishad conclave in Pune on December 31, 2017. The speeches are said to have led to violence the subsequent day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial. The high court noted that Jagtap was an active Kabir Kala Manch (KKM) member who delivered fiery slogans at the conclave. The NIA regards the KKM as a front for the Communist Party of India (Maoist). The high court previously dismissed Jagtap’s appeal against a February 2022 special court decision denying her bail. The 2017 Elgar Parishad conclave took place at Shaniwarwada, the 18th-century palace-fort situated in central Pune.

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