Supreme Court Grants Interim Medical Bail to Bhima Koregaon Accused Mahesh Raut
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (16 September) granted interim bail for six weeks to Mahesh Raut, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon–Elgar Parishad case, on medical grounds. Raut, who was arrested in June 2018 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for alleged Maoist links, has been in custody since then.
A Bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Satish Kumar Sharma considered submissions made by Senior Advocate CU Singh, who informed the Court that Raut suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, a serious autoimmune disorder that affects the bones and muscles. Singh also pointed out that the Bombay High Court had granted Raut bail on merits in September 2023, though the order was stayed to allow the NIA to appeal. That stay has been repeatedly extended.
Opposing the plea, counsel for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) argued that the allegations against Raut were grave, including claims that he transferred funds to Maoist groups. However, the Supreme Court observed that since bail was earlier granted on merits and the applicant is seeking relief for medical reasons, interim bail could be allowed.
The Court’s order stated: “The applicant is seeking interim bail on medical grounds coupled with the fact that he was actually granted bail. We are inclined to grant medical bail for a period of six weeks.”
Meanwhile, the plea of co-accused Jyoti Jagtap was also mentioned. Senior Advocate Aparna Bhat highlighted that the case has been pending for over six years. The Court said Jagtap’s plea would be considered in October.
Jagtap, an activist from the cultural group Kabir Kala Manch, along with 16 others, was accused of playing a role in the caste violence that broke out in Bhima Koregaon, Pune, in January 2018. The authorities alleged that provocative speeches delivered at the Elgar Parishad event triggered the clashes between Maratha and Dalit groups. Based on electronic evidence, the NIA charged them under various provisions of the UAPA, alleging a conspiracy.
In 2022, a special NIA court rejected Jagtap’s bail plea, a decision later upheld by the Bombay High Court. The High Court noted that dialogues in Kabir Kala Manch’s performances ridiculing terms such as “Ram Mandir,” “Gomutra,” and “Acche Din” incited hatred and suggested a larger conspiracy.
Case Reference: The National Investigation Agency v. Mahesh Sitaram Raut and Anr., Crl.A. No. 3048/2023
