International visits by Anand Teltumbde were to further maoist agenda: NIA to Mumbai Court

Bhima Koregaon accused Anand Teltumbde’s international visits were to further Communist Party of India (Maoist) activities, National Investigation Agency (NIA) has told a Mumbai court [Sudhir Dhawale & Ors. v. NIA]..The central agency's submission came in response to the discharge application filed by Teltumbde in the case linked to the Elgar Parishad event which allegedly led to the violence at Bhima Koregaon in 2018. In his application filed through advocates R Satyanarayanan and Neeraj Yadav, Teltumbde had contended that the NIA failed to produce any material before the Court to show that he is a member of CPI(M)..Opposing his application, NIA has stated that the Teltumbde used to attend international conferences under the guise of academic visits to further activities of CPI(Maoist). “In order to further the activities of CPI(Maoist) on an international level, he used to attend international conferences under the guise of his academic visits at Canada, Pakistan, USA, France etc. In the said conferences, he used to exchange literature on ideology, training and working strategy of CPI (Maoist) with international communist organisations”, the reply stated.NIA claimed that its investigation revealed that Teltumbde was one of the main organisers of the Elgar Parishad event and had been in touch with the other organisers as well. NIA reply also emphasized that Teltumbde’s younger brother Milind Teltumbde, an alleged maoist leader, was trying to expand the naxal movement in urban areas through Anand Teltumbde. Milind joined the CPI (Maoist) movement through Anand, the reply claimed adding that the brother met with elder brother to get guidance on how to go about the movement. Teltumbde brought naxalite literature from his international visits and distribute the same amongst the CPI(Maoist) members, NIA alleged. “Teltumbde used to attend international conferences under the guise of his academic visits abroad viz. Philippines, Peru, Turkey and other countries and used to bring Maoist literature & videos (in pen drive/memory card) related to their ideology, tactics, weapons used by them, a period of attacks, planning of sudden attacks in spite of routine Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) during Naxal weeks, an extension of zones and increasing members by recruitment for CPI (Maoist) organisation,“ the reply stated. .NIA also filed a reply in the application filed by prime accused Sudhir Dhawale seeking discharge from all charges against them in the case..NIA pointed out in the reply that Maoist cadres had been co-coordinating with the Bhima Koregaon programme, making preparations for gathering support and communicating amongst each other to share progress.In one such letter, it was pointed out that the agitation and propaganda of Bhima Koregaon was effective, especially when it came to exploiting the unfortunate death of a youth, the NIA submitted.“It is also appreciated that the Bhima Koregaon agitation as it was very effective and unfortunate death of youth must be exploited to prepare future agitations & propaganda. Intentions behind Bhima Koregaon incident shows in this letter as it is mentioned that, Dalit sentiments are clearly against the Brahmin-cantered agenda of BJP/RSS” the reply pointed out..The letters also mentioned that about ₹10 lakh a year was allocated to organise international lectures on Dalit issues.Co-accused Mahesh Raut provided ₹5 lakh to Dhawale, Surendra Gadling for further agitation in Bhima Koregaon, the reply said..Dhawale who is prime accused in the case, applied for discharge claiming that he had lent his name to the Elgar Parishad event along with other organisers like retired judges Justices PB Sawant and BG Kolse Patil.The reply to Dhawale’s application highlighted that agency investigation revealed deep rooted connections of CPI (Maoist) cadres with respect to Bhima Koregaon programme as part of their well-thought conspiracy.