Elgaar Parishad case: Jyoti Jagtap moves Bombay HC challenging special court’s bail rejection order – The Indian Express

A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in February had rejected the bail applications of four accused in the case, including Jagtap. Special Judge Dinesh E Kothalikar had rejected the bail pleas of Delhi University associate professor Hany Babu and three members of the cultural group Kabir Kala Manch — Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor and Jagtap.

The NIA had opposed the bail applications stating that the accused were part of the Elgaar Parishad event held in Pune on December 31, 2017. All four were arrested by the NIA in 2020.

The agency had alleged in the chargesheet that wanted accused Milind Teltumbde had discussed the event with the three Kabir Kala Manch members. It also claimed Maoist ideology was spread at the event with the help of these three and other persons.

Babu, the NIA said, was instrumental in arranging meetings and funds in support of G N Saibaba, who has been convicted on charges of having Maoist links.

In April this year, Jagtap filed a discharge application along with five other accused before the special court. In her plea before the Bombay High Court, Jagtap challenged the special NIA court order, calling it unreasonable and sought that it be quashed and she be granted release on bail.

In the plea filed through advocate Kritika Agarwal, Jagtap said she is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the case. Jagtap said the special court erred in concluding that a prima facie case existed against her.

“The trial will take a very long time to complete as the case is still at large of framing of charges and a large number of witnesses have to be examined and moreover there is no legally admissible evidence against the appellant,” said her plea, adding she has fully cooperated with the probe and no purpose will be served by keeping her incarcerated.

In its reply, the NIA said Jagtap was one of the main conspirators and an active member of the banned CPI( Maoist) working in an urban area through the frontal organisation Kabir Kala Manch and she was also in touch with the co-accused. “Act committed by the appellant is against the interest of the nation which for any reason cannot be overlooked whatsoever,” the NIA said and sought the appeal’s dismissal.

The High Court will hear the plea after two weeks.