2016 arson case: SC to hear Surendra Gadling's bail plea on Oct 14

The Supreme Court of India has scheduled the hearing for the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling for October 14 in connection with the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case in Maharashtra. Gadling approached the apex court to challenge a January 2023 order passed by the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, which refused to grant him bail.

The bail application came up for consideration before a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Augustine George Masih, and Sandeep Mehta. Gadling is seeking relief after spending more than seven years in custody linked to the Gadchiroli mining violence case.

Appearing for the petitioner, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued that Gadling had already secured bail in the separate Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. Sibal told the court that another case was foisted on him at the same time. He further submitted that individuals accused of directly setting the trucks on fire have already been granted bail by the courts.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the state government of Maharashtra, requested the bench to list the matter on a non-miscellaneous day to allow the prosecution sufficient time to present the case. Raju stated that he needed to point out the evidence against the accused advocate during the proceedings.

The case dates back to December 25, 2016, when alleged Maoist rebels set ablaze 76 vehicles engaged in transporting iron ore from the Surajgarh mines located in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district. Following investigation, police registered charges against Gadling under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, India's primary anti-terror law.

Investigating agencies allege that Gadling provided logistical aid, maps, and secret information concerning government activities to underground Maoist groups. Investigators further claim he conspired with absconding co-accused, urged Maoists to oppose the Surjagarh mining operations, and incited local villagers to join the banned movement.

Gadling is also named as an accused in the 2017 Elgar Parishad conclave case. Investigators allege that provocative speeches delivered at Shaniwarwada in Pune on December 31, 2017, led to violent clashes near the Koregaon-Bhima War Memorial the next day. Earlier on July 21, Supreme Court Judge Justice Shree Chandrashekhar recused himself from hearing the bail petition.

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