Bhima Koregaon: Supreme Court wants to see the Chargesheet

The Supreme Court today directed the Maharashtra government to submit a copy of the chargesheet filed in Pune court against activists arrested in relation to Bhima Koregaon violence..The order was passed by a Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph. The chargesheet copy has to be submitted by December 8..The Court was hearing an appeal filed by the State of Maharashtra against an order of the Bombay High Court which had set aside the extension of time granted by the Sepcial Judge for the completion of investigation in the case. As a consequence of the High Court order, those arrested had become eligible for default bail. The Supreme Court had, however, stayed that order..By way of background, Surendra Gadling, Rona Wilson, and others were arrested by the Pune Police in June, in relation to the Bhima Koregaon violence that took place earlier this year..On August 30, an application under Section 43-D of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 was made by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Swargate Division, Pune with a view to extending the detention of the accused beyond the prescribed period of 90 days..As per this provision, a court may grant extension of detention on being satisfied by an application made by the Public Prosecutor that the investigation could not be completed in 90 days. The detention period can be extended by another 90 days if this is the case..On September 2, the Special Judge at Pune granted the same. This prompted Surendra Gadling and the others arrested in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence to approach the Bombay High Court. The Bombay High Court had allowed the same whereupon the State challenged the High Court order before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had stayed the High Court order on October 29..When the matter was taken up today, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared and argued for the State of Maharashtra..The Court after hearing Rohatgi sought for a copy of the chargesheet..Senior Advocate Indira Jaising appearing for the accused said that State was inclined to keep the accused in custody..“The whole idea seems to be that if a court grants bail, then they can be immediately arrested in another case”, said Jaising..The case will now be heard on December 11..Read the rejoinder affidavit filed by State of Maharashtra.