This story is from June 14, 2020

Gadchiroli court rejects ‘Naxalite’ Varavara Rao’s bail plea

Gadchiroli court rejects ‘Naxalite’ Varavara Rao’s bail plea
Nagpur: The Gadchiroli sessions court has rejected the bail application of alleged Maoist Varavara Rao in the case of 39 trucks being burned by Naxalites on December 23, 2016. The 81-year-old applied for bail on the grounds of old age due to which he was a high risk for Covid-19 virus. He is currently in Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai.
Citing the May 11 guidelines of a government's high power committee (HPC), Rao, who is from Telangana, contended that he should be released on a temporary bail.
The guidelines mentioned that any prisoner over 60 years of age and/or those suffering from medical conditions, which puts them at high risk from the coronavirus, should be put under isolation.
Opposing his plea, district government pleader (DGP) Anil Pradhan pointed out that the HPC’s guidelines were for undertrial prisoners only and that makes Rao ineligible. Moreover, the accused was admitted to prison hospital and later taken to JJ Hospital in Mumbai after he complained of vomiting with pain in abdomen. He was examined by the medical officer there and was admitted from May 28 to June 1.
After discharge, Rao’s condition was found to be stable, X-ray report normal and Covid-19 swab test negative. He was provided with medicines as per the directives of JJ Hospital doctors.
Pradhan argued that there was ample evidence for connecting Rao with the crime along with co-accused Surendra Gadling, both active members of CPI (Maoist). They allegedly hatched conspiracy and directed other accused to set trucks on fire and cause big loss to the property. The investigating officer received a proposal to prosecute Rao and Gadling under stringent UAPA from the home department’s additional secretary.

Quoting Rao’s medical reports from Taloja Central Prison, judge SC Khati rejected his application holding that it’s “devoid of merits”. “The HPC specifically excluded prisoners against whom offences lodged are under the special Acts like MCOCA, TADA and UAPA. Taking into consideration the gravity of an offence, asseveration of the jail authorities, and his medical reports, no interference is needed,” the judge said.
THE CASE
* On December 23, 2016, complaint Rajendersing Shergill led a convoy of trucks to Surjagad for mineral loading
* At about 5 kms from Hedari, about 40 to 50 Naxalites in green dress holding weapons and 60-70 in civil dress, asked all drivers and cleaners to get down from the trucks
* The outlaws then burned 39 vehicles, including three Pocklands and a motorcycle, by pouring diesel
* They shouted slogans of Communist Party, Maowadi Sanghatan and Lal Salam
* They thrashed the drivers and cleaners while warning them never to venture into their area again
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