New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s plea against the bail granted to scholar-activist Anand Teltumbde in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case.
The apex court on Friday dismissed the central agency’s plea challenging the Bombay High Court order granting bail to Teltumbde.
The bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli added that the High Court’s observations shall not be considered conclusive at trials.
The Bombay High Court on November 18 had granted bail to the professor noting that prima facie there was no evidence of terrorist activity against Teltumbde.
The CJI during the hearing today also inquired over the role attributed to Teltumbde.
“What is the specific role to bring UAPA sections into action? The IIT Madras event you alleged is for Dalit mobilisation. Is Dalit mobilisation preparatory act to proscribed activity?” CJI questioned ASG Aishwarya Bhati appearing for the NIA.
The chargesheet against Teltumbde alleges conspiracy to further the ideology of banned CPI (Maoist) and overthrow the government.
Defending Teltumbde, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal stated that none of the incriminating documents the former has been booked for were recovered from him. Sibal also stated that Teltumbde had not met his estranged brother Milind Teltumbde, a Maoist leader who was killed in encounter with security forces, in the last 30 years.
Teltumbde is lodged at the Taloja prison in Navi Mumbai since his arrest in the case in April 2020.
The Bombay High Court had granted bail to him on a surety of Rs 1 lakh.
Teltumbde had moved the High Court last year after a special court refused to grant him bail.
He had claimed that he was never present at the December 31, 2017 Elgar Parishad event held in Pune city, nor made any provocative speeches.
The prosecution’s case was that provocative and inflammatory speeches were made at the event, allegedly backed by banned CPI (Maoist), which later led to violence at Koregaon Bhima village near Pune.
The accused in the case have been charged with waging a war against the nation, being active members of the CPI (Maoist), criminal conspiracy and indulging in acts with an intent to strike terror in the minds of people using explosive substances.
The trial court is yet to frame charges in the case, only after which trial would commence.
