Researcher Rona Wilson and activist Sudhir Dhawale, both accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, were granted bail on January 24, 2025, after spending over six years in prison. The Bombay High Court had approved their bail on January 8, 2025, citing their prolonged incarceration since 2018 and the delay in the trial, which involves charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Researcher Rona Wilson, Activist Dhawale Convicted Under 2018 Elgar Case Walk Out Of Prison
After spending six years in prison under the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, both were granted bail on January 24, 2025.
Wilson and Dhawale were released from Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai around 1:30 pm after completing bail formalities, more than two weeks after the court’s decision.
The court highlighted that, with over 300 witnesses listed by the prosecution, the trial is unlikely to conclude anytime soon. As charges have yet to be framed, the trial can only proceed once the charges are formally outlined.
Wilson and Dhawale alongside 14 other activists and academicians were arrested in connection with the case. So far, eight others, including Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Anand Teltumbde, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira, Shoma Sen, Gautam Navlakha, and Mahesh Raut, have been granted bail. However, Mahesh Raut remains in jail as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has appealed against his bail before the Supreme Court. Jesuit priest and activist Stan Swamy, another accused in the case, passed away in 2021 while in judicial custody.
The case centers around alleged provocative speeches made at a gathering in Pune on December 31, 2017, which are said to have incited violent clashes the following day in Koregaon-Bhima, a village near Pune. Initially, Pune police claimed the event had links to Maoist groups, and the NIA later assumed control of the investigation.
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