Mumbai: Activist Rona Wilson was granted a two-week temporary bail by the National Investigation Agency court in Mumbai to attend a ritual after his father's demise. Wilson needs to reach Kerala to attend the ritual after 30 days of the demise of his father. Currently, he is in judicial custody under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
The activist had moved the court for bail in connection with his father's death on August 18, 2021, as per reports. Reports said the last rites were performed on August 19 in Neendakara, Kerala. Wilson mentioned in his plea that he had last met his 84-year-old father Wilson Jacob in April 2018. He had also attached a letter from the concerned church in connection with the ritual, reports said.
Also read: No link between Elgar Parishad and Koregoan Bhima violence, two accused tell HC
Pune police arrested Wilson on June 6, 2018, in connection with the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. Wilson and Shoma Sen, accused in the case had told the Bombay High Court in July 2021, that the case against them was based on forged and hearsay evidence that was planted on devices allegedly belonging to Wilson. A US digital forensic firm's report was also cited to substantiate the statement. They also said that there was no connection between the Elgar Parishad event held on December 31, 3017 and the Koregaon Bhima violence that took place the day after.
Koregaon Bhima violence was reported on January 1, 2018, and NIA, Pune police drew links with the Elgar Parishad case. An FIR was filed in Pune alleging that banned Naxalite groups had organized the event Elgar Parishad on the eve of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon. As per the police's allegation, speech delivered at the event had instigated violence the following day.
