The court gave NIA time till August 2 to file its counter-affidavit and till August 8 for Varavara Rao to file its reply.
The court gave NIA time till August 2 to file its counter-affidavit and till August 8 for Varavara Rao to file its reply.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued formal notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on a plea filed for permanent medical bail. 83-year-old poet-activist P. Varavara Rao In Bhima Koregaon case
A bench headed by Justice UU Lalit posted the matter for final hearing on August 10. The court gave NIA time till August 2 to file its counter affidavit and Mr. Rao was given till August 8 to file his reply.
Meanwhile, the interim protection granted to Mr Rao by the Supreme Court on July 12 will continue.
The bench had on 12 July ensured that Mr. Rao’s interim bail to continue Until “further orders” of the Supreme Court.
Mr Rao is currently out on interim medical bail and is living in Mumbai with his wife.
The poet stated in his petition that he was in jail for more than two years as an undertrial prisoner. He was then extended on bail by the Bombay High Court on medical grounds. But it had recently refused him permanent bail. Against this order of the High Court, Mr. Rao has appealed in the Supreme Court.
“Any kind of imprisonment will sound the death knell for him as aging and deteriorating health is a deadly combination,” said his petition in the Supreme Court.
Mr. Rao was arrested on August 28, 2018., He was charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.