Court Denies Activist Navlakha’s Request To Live In Delhi
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) court has refused the plea of senior activist Gautam Navlakha to shift his residence from Pune to Delhi during legal proceedings related to the Elgar Parishad–Bhima Koregaon case. The court upheld the existing bail conditions, requiring him to remain in Pune under restrictive measures.
Navlakha, known for his human rights activism, cited medical treatment, proximity to legal counsel, and easier access to family in the national capital as reasons for his relocation request. However, the court found these arguments unconvincing and stated that transferring jurisdiction would not serve the interests of justice at this stage.
Navlakha Bail
The court’s decision preserves the terms of his bail, which include a ban on international travel, mandatory weekly reporting to local authorities, and restrictions on digital communication. These conditions are part of the framework allowing him conditional freedom while the investigation continues.
Elgar Parishad
This setback comes as the broader Elgar Parishad case, involving allegations of incitement following an event near Pune in 2017, remains under judicial review. Several activists are under trial in connection with alleged links to violence that erupted the following day. Navlakha has consistently denied involvement in any wrongdoing, maintaining the charges are politically motivated and unsupported by solid evidence.
Court Jurisdiction
The court emphasized that Navlakha’s request lacked sufficient justification to warrant a change of jurisdiction. With legal proceedings largely concentrated in Pune, the court noted that Delhi-based relief could complicate matters and burden the judicial process. Hence, restricting his stay to Pune ensures administrative efficiency.
Next Steps
Navlakha is expected to continue attending court hearings in Pune as scheduled. His legal team has indicated that they plan to appeal the rejection at the Bombay High Court, seeking a reconsideration of both his bail conditions and residence restrictions.
