The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday opposed a plea by activist Gautam Navlakha, who is currently under house arrest in a public library in Mumbai, in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. Navlakha has requested to be shifted to a house in Alibag area of Maharashtra’s Raigad citing security concerns.
Navlakha, who is one of the nine accused in the Elgar Parishad case, was initially under house arrest in his Delhi residence. However, following the orders of the Supreme Court, he was shifted to a public library in Mumbai.
The NIA argued that shifting Navlakha to Alibag would not be feasible as it would create a “parallel police station.” The agency also stated that there were already enough security arrangements in place for Navlakha at the public library in Mumbai.
The Elgar Parishad case relates to an event held in Pune in December 2017 to commemorate the bicentenary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon. The Pune Police claim that the event was organized by activists with Maoist links and led to violence that broke out near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial.
The case has been controversial, with civil rights activists alleging that it is politically motivated and an attack on dissent. Many of the accused, including Navlakha, have been critical of the government and its policies.
Navlakha’s plea to be shifted to Alibag was based on security concerns, with his counsel arguing that the current location was not secure enough. The plea was opposed by the NIA, which argued that Navlakha was already receiving adequate security.
The matter is set to be heard by the Bombay High Court on Tuesday.
Navlakha, along with eight other activists, was arrested by the Pune Police in August 2018. He was released on bail in October 2020, but the Supreme Court later canceled his bail and ordered him to surrender. Navlakha has been under house arrest since then.
The case has been criticized by many civil rights activists and opposition politicians, who have accused the government of using it to target dissenters. The case has also been mired in controversy, with allegations of evidence tampering and procedural irregularities.