Supreme Court Lifts Stay on Bombay High Court’s Bail Order for Gautam Navlakha

The Supreme Court lifted the stay on the Bombay High Court’s order granting bail to activist Gautam Navlakha in the Bhima Koregaon violence case. Noting that Navlakha has been in jail for over four years without charges being framed, the Supreme Court emphasized his age and the likelihood of a prolonged trial.

The High Court had granted Navlakha bail, stating that there was no evidence to support the NIA’s claim that he committed a terrorist act under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. The Supreme Court ordered Navlakha to pay ₹20 lakh towards the expenses of his house arrest, a pre-condition for bail. Navlakha, a journalist, was arrested in April 2020 for his alleged involvement in the violence that occurred at Bhima Koregaon village in Pune district on January 1, 2018.