Activist Varavara Rao Granted Bail for Six Months on Medical Grounds

Mumbai: Poet and activist Varavara Rao who has been in jail since 2018 have been granted bail for a period of six months by the Bombay High Court on medical grounds.

The octogenarian who is currently undergoing treatment at Mumbai's Nanavati Hospital will remain under the jurisdiction of the special National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The court has further directed Rao to remain in Mumbai and be available for investigation as and when needed. The bench headed by Justice S S Shinde and Manish Pitale considering the deteriorating health of Rao and owing to inadequate facilities in Taloja jail hospital said that the case was deemed fit to be granted relief.

"We are of the opinion that this is a genuine and fit case to grant relief; or else, we will be abdicating our constitutional duty and function as a protector of human rights and right to health covered under right to life guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution of India," the bench said.

The high court further asserted if it did not grant Mr. Rao medical bail, it would be abdicating its duty to protect the principles of human rights and a citizen's fundamental rights to life and health.

The other conditions upheld by the bench are Rao has to furnish a bail bond of Rs. 50,000/- and stay within NIA's jurisdiction. While he has been asked to mark his presence with the nearest police station through WhatsApp video call, he is directed not to indulge in activities that may lead to registration of the FIR.

Earlier, bail pleas were made owing to Rao's health, however, NIA rejected it. In July last year, he tested positive for Covid-19 after which he was shifted to the Nanavati Hospital. He was discharged from the Nanavati Hospital following a final assessment report on July 30 and sent back to the Taloja prison.

He has been in custody since August 28, 2018, awaiting trial in the case. The activist who exhorted revolutionary ideas in his writings was arrested for allegedly inciting violence in the Bhima-Koregaon case.

Rao along with several other activists was arrested after they were accused of plotting violence with Maoists by delivering provocative speeches at the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017. The police claimed that the activists incited the people following which violence broke out at the Bhima-Koregaon war memorial.

However, Rao who headed 'Veerasam', an association of revolutionary writers has strongly denied the charges made against him.

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