Bhima Koregaon Case: Poet & Activist Varavara Rao Granted Regular Bail By SC

Pic courtesy Deccan Chronicle

New Delhi: Activist, poet and teacher P Varavara Rao, an accused in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon case, was on Wednesday allowed to remain out of jail on medical grounds. The Supreme Court made permanent the six-month bail granted to Rao by the Bombay High Court on February 22, 2021.

However, certain conditions were imposed by the apex court. Rao can’t leave territorial jurisdiction of the trial court where the case is pending during this period and will not misuse his liberty. The Supreme Court also restrained him from contacting witnesses or trying to influence investigation of the case.

The Supreme Court clarified that the bail was provided purely on medical grounds, considering his advanced age of over 82 years. Rao was directed to provide intimation of his medical treatment to National Investigation Agency, which had opposed the regular bail plea.

“The petitioner is currently 82 years old… initially taken into custody on 20.08.2018 and was kept In house arrest. Since 2018, police had opportunity of custodial interrogation. We are not strictly concerned with that facet of the matter. Instant case is on grant of bail on medical conditions,” the order said.

The Bhima Koregaon case refers to violence during a gathering January 1, 2018, at Maharashtra’s Bhima Koregaon to mark 200th anniversary of Battle of Bhima Koregaon. A 28-year-old youth died and five others were injured in the stone-pelting by the crowd.

Rao was arrested under the non-bailable Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on the charge of inciting violence and also plotting to assassinate the Prime Minister.