Today, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a 10,000-page charge sheet in the 2018 Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon Case. The charge sheet accuses 8 persons including activists Gautam Navlakha and Stan Swamy, Milind Teltumbde, DU professor Hani Babu, Goa Institute of Management professor Anand Teltumbde and three artists of Kabir Kala Manch, Sagar Gorkhe, Ramesh Gaichor and his wife Jyoti Jagtap.
They have been charged under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections of criminal conspiracy, waging war against the country, and sections 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 38, 39 and 40 under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
On Thursday, NIA had arrested 83-year-old activist, Father Stan Swamy in accordance with the probe. His arrest led to outrage.
Renowned historian Ramchandra Guha tweeted “That is why the Modi regime seeks to suppress and silence them; because for this regime, the profits of mining companies take precedence over the lives and livelihoods of Adivasis.”
On Tuesday, the inquiry commission of the 2018 case was given the ‘final’ extension till December 31, 2020 to submit its report, by the state government.
In 2018, Bhima Koregaon violence took place which is referred to an attack on the visitors during an annual celebratory gathering at Bhima Koregaon, Maharashtra to mark the 200th year of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon victory. During the probe by police, in June same year, Rona Wilson was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Following which, in August five activists, including Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Sudha Bharadwaj and Gautam Navlakha were also arrested.