'Consider seriousness of offence': NIA opposes Varavara Rao's bail

The National Investigation Agency on Thursday asked the Bombay High Court to reject poet-activist Varavara Rao's bail plea, considering the seriousness of the offense committed by him.

Rao was arrested in June 2018 in connection with violence in the Elgar Parishad case. The court that was hearing a plea for Rao's bail on grounds of poor health, and asked the probe agency about its apprehensions regarding the bail.

Pointing out that Rao is accused in a case of national security, the NIA said that considering his ill health and plea for bail, the court must not lose sight of the seriousness of the offence.

In the previous hearing, the court had asked Nanavati Hospital to submit a fresh medical report with Rao's latest health condition, after NIA claimed that the 80-year-old is fit to be discharged.