In a significant development, activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, have been released on bail. A special court in Mumbai issued the release order after the Supreme Court granted them bail. The activists walked out of Taloja prison in Navi Mumbai on Saturday afternoon, where a few supporters and relatives were present to receive them.
With the release of Gonsalves and Ferreira, five out of the 16 accused arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case are now out on bail. It is worth noting that Jesuit priest Stan Swamy, who was also among the accused, passed away at a private hospital in July 2021 during judicial custody.
The Supreme Court granted bail to Gonsalves and Ferreira on 28 July, citing the lack of evidence of their actual involvement in any terrorist act based on third-party communications. Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sudhanshu Dhulia, comprising the bench, observed that the mere possession of certain literature that might advocate violence would not fall under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, the bench emphasized that bail cannot be denied solely on those grounds. As part of the bail conditions, the accused have been instructed not to leave Maharashtra without the permission of the trial court, surrender their passports, and inform the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is handling the case, about their addresses. They are each allowed to use one mobile phone. The bench also granted the NIA the right to seek cancellation of their bail in case of any violation of the bail conditions.
Previously, Gonsalves and Ferreira had approached the Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court’s rejection of their bail pleas. The recent bail granted by the apex court provides a significant relief to the activists and their families, as it allows them to defend themselves in court without being in custody.