Elgar Parishad Case: SC Defers Surendra Gadling Bail Plea To Sep 17

Elgar Parishad Case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday once again deferred the bail hearing of advocate Surendra Gadling, accused in the Elgar Parishad–Maoist links case, pushing the matter to September 17.

A bench of Justices J K Maheshwari and K Vinod Chandran adjourned the hearing after Additional Solicitor General S V Raju sought more time.

Senior advocate Anand Grover, representing Gadling, objected to the repeated delays, pointing out that the plea has been pending since 2023. “The bail plea has been adjourned 11 times in the Supreme Court,” Grover said, stressing that Gadling has spent over 6 years in custody without charges being framed.

Earlier Recusal & Adjournments

The bail matter was listed today after Chief Justice B R Gavai fixed the date on August 26, following the recusal of Justice M M Sundresh. Previously, a bench of Justices Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh was to hear the plea.

Grover had earlier mentioned the case before the CJI on August 8, seeking an early hearing due to Gadling’s prolonged incarceration. Despite repeated listings, the bail plea has seen multiple adjournments.

In March this year, the apex court also deferred bail hearings of Gadling and activist Jyoti Jagtap, along with the NIA’s challenge to bail granted to activist Mahesh Raut by the Bombay High Court.

Allegations Against Gadling

According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Gadling allegedly provided assistance to Maoists, conspired with absconding co-accused, and passed on sensitive government information, including maps of certain areas, to underground rebels.

The prosecution further claimed that he urged Maoist cadres to oppose the Surjagarh mines project and instigated locals to join the movement. He faces charges under multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Wider Elgar Parishad Case

The Elgar Parishad case stems from a public conclave held at Shaniwarwada, Pune, on December 31, 2017, where provocative speeches allegedly led to violence at the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial the next day.

The Bombay High Court earlier described co-accused Jyoti Jagtap as an active member of the Kabir Kala Manch (KKM), a cultural group accused of spreading provocative messages during a stage performance at the conclave.

The NIA claims KKM operates as a front for the Communist Party of India (Maoist).

While Jagtap’s bail plea was rejected by the high court in February 2022, activist Mahesh Raut secured bail, though the order was stayed after the NIA challenged it in the Supreme Court.