SC asks Navlakha and Teltumbde,to surrender within 3 weeks in Bhima Koregaon case

New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Monday granted Anand Teltumbde and Gautam Navlakha three weeks time to surrender in connection with Bhima Koregaon violence.

The duo had protection from arrest since January 21, 2018.

The Apex Court bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra and also comprising Justice M R Shah, on Monday invoked Section 43D (4) of UAPA which mandates that "nothing in Section 438 CrPC shall apply in relation to any case involving the arrest of any person accused of having committed an offence punishable under this Act (UAPA)"

It rejected pleas for anticipatory bail under Section 438 CrPC by the activists. It also asked them to immediately surrender the passports. The bench observed that it seemed that a prima facie a case was made out against the activists. 

Both the activists were accused for violence that erupted on January 1, 2018, at Bhima-Koregaon in Maharashtra.They were booked under the dreaded Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for being part of the Elgar Parishad, which held a meeting before the violence and allegedly delivered provocative speeches. 

The violence resulted in the death of one person and injuries to hundreds.Both Teltumbde and Navlakha have maintained that they were not part of the Elgar Parishad and were granted bail.(UNI)