Application of bail on the humanitarian grounds

Bhima Koregaon case activists accused made the plea for bail application before the High Court of Bombay. The bail application is on the ground that Vernon Gonsalves and Anand Teltumbde, are activists who were in close contact with another activist Varavara Rao who has been tested positive for Covid-19.

The plea was made on the humanitarian grounds as both the petitioner are senior citizens and have been close to Covid-19 patient recently. The had been arrested for the Bhima Koregaon case took place in January 2018.

The fact of this Bhima Koregaon case, it refers to attack on visitors for a yearly celebration where people gather at Bhima Koregaon in Maharashtra to marks its 200th year of victory of the battle.

 But in 2018, this public gathering led to the death of 28th-year-old Rahul Patangale due to stone pelting by anti-social elements took place. Thus, resulted in Maharashtra Bandh on 3rd January 2018 along with protest all over Maharashtra. The various protests across India resulted in 30 police people were injured and more than 300 people were detained. Later on, following an investigation, many activist and others were arrest on grounds of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in June 2018. 

Both petitioners are at Taloja Central Prison. The plea made application as Gonsalves had been assigned to aid Rao who has been infected by virus for his daily activities for 4 weeks and Teltumbde was in same jail along with Rao till 13th July.

The plea also emphasised to conduct COVID-19 test on the petitioners and consider as they are senior citizens.