New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to Bhima Koregaon accused and Telugu poet, P Varavara Rao, on medical grounds observing that his health condition has not improved to an extent that bail can be withdrawn. He is charged under UAPA. The bench comprising of Justice UU Lalit, Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia was hearing a plea by Rao challenging the Bombay High Court order that had refused to grant him bail.
After hearing the matter for almost 2 hours the court said that Rao has already spent 2.5 years in custody aside from the benefit of bail granted and considering all the circumstances he is "entitled to bail on medical grounds". The bench also directed Rao to not leave Greater Mumbai without express permission from the special NIA court at Mumbai, not to misuse his bail, not to get in touch with any witnesses and keep the NIA officials in touch with any developments including the medical attention that he gets.
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Sr Adv Anand Grover had argued before the court today that he is a huge number of underlying co-morbidities. He has Parkinsons,doctor has indicated tremors and damaged brain tissue. He said that there are a total of 16 accused and the trial will take 10 years even if it starts today. ASG SV Raju appearing for NIA opposed the bail plea and said that there are no serious medical conditions and his age can not be considered in granting him bail as he is accused of serious offences, and anti-national activities involving overthrowing the government.
The court said that at the age of 82 people are not at the pink of their health, either their condition improves or aggravates. J UU Lalit also observed that there are people who run marathons at 90 but not everyone at that age can do that. Court noted that the investigating officers had sufficient opportunity to interrogate Rao and Rao has not misused his bail period.
Court asked the NIA about the time it will take for the completion of the trial. NIA said it should conclude in 1.5 years. ASG Raju also blamed the accused for delaying the trial. However, the court proceeded to grant Rao bail but clarified that the order should not be a reflection of the merits of the case or rival contention of the parties.
