Academician and activist Anand Teltumbde, an accused in the Elgar Parishad–Maoist links case, on Wednesday withdrew his petition before the Bombay High Court seeking permission to travel abroad for academic lectures, after the court indicated it was not inclined to grant the request.
A division bench led by Justice A. S. Gadkari observed that Teltumbde could deliver the proposed lectures virtually, instead of travelling overseas.
Teltumbde’s counsel, senior advocate Mihir Desai, argued that apart from lectures, his client was also expected to hold seminars and interact with faculty and students in person. The bench, however, reiterated its disinclination, noting that a special NIA court had only recently rejected Teltumbde’s application for discharge in the case.
Following this, Desai sought to withdraw the petition, which the court allowed.
NIA Opposes Foreign Travel
The National Investigation Agency opposed the plea, warning that Teltumbde might abscond or even seek asylum abroad if allowed to travel. The agency said that, given the serious nature of the charges — spreading Maoist and Naxalite ideology — there was no necessity for him to travel physically when the lectures could be conducted online.
The NIA further alleged that Teltumbde was a senior and active member of the banned CPI (Maoist) and misused his academic platform to continue “nefarious activities.”
Invitations From Prestigious Institutions
In his petition, Teltumbde highlighted his recognition as a leading scholar on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, caste, democratic rights, and public policy. He stated that he had been invited to multiple international universities, including:
- University of Amsterdam – for a four-week programme in April involving lectures, seminars, and faculty interactions.
- Leiden University, Netherlands – to deliver a lecture on April 16.
- Nottingham Trent University, UK – as Scholar-in-Residence for the first 2 weeks of May.
- University of Oxford and 3 other UK institutions – for academic sessions and lectures.
- Teltumbde had sought the release of his passport to complete visa formalities.
Case Background
Teltumbde was granted regular bail by the Bombay High Court in November 2022, a decision the Supreme Court later declined to interfere with, despite the NIA’s challenge.
The Elgar Parishad case stems from alleged inflammatory speeches made during a conclave at Shaniwarwada in Pune in December 2017, which authorities claim triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon Bhima war memorial.
Read More: Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, States High Court, International
