Supreme Court to hear bail plea of Bhima Koregaon accused Surendra Gadling on October 14

The Supreme Court will hear the bail plea of Surendra Gadling, a prominent advocate and activist, on October 14, 2026, in connection with the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case. This decision comes after a series of legal proceedings spanning nearly a decade, during which Gadling has remained incarcerated. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Gadling, appeared before a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Augustine George Masih, and Sandeep Mehta. During the hearing, Sibal highlighted that his client has spent more than seven years in custody and is also an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, for which he was previously granted bail. The current bail application stems from the 2016 incident involving the alleged setting ablaze of 76 vehicles transporting iron ore from Surjagarh mines in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra. These vehicles were reportedly targeted by individuals linked to the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). Gadling faces charges of aiding the Maoists, conspiring with other accused, and sharing sensitive information with rebel groups. He is also accused of inciting locals to oppose the operation of the Surjagarh mines. The prosecution has cited multiple sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Indian Penal Code against him. Gadling was arrested in February 2019 in relation to the Surjagarh case, following his earlier detention in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. In January 2023, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court denied his bail request, stating that the allegations regarding his association with the Maoist organization seemed credible. Subsequently, he filed a petition with the Supreme Court, which issued a notice on October 10, 2023. However, the matter has encountered numerous adjournments, including instances where Supreme Court judges recused themselves from the case. Notably, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar stepped down from the proceedings on July 21, 2026, marking the third such recusal within the past year. The reasons behind these recusals remain undisclosed. In August 2025, senior advocate Anand Grover, also representing Gadling, had requested the then Chief Justice of India, B.R. Gavai, to expedite the listing of the case, emphasizing the prolonged period of incarceration. Grover noted that the bail plea had been repeatedly postponed, partly due to the prosecution's need for additional time to submit its counter-affidavit. Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Maharashtra government, emphasized the necessity of a thorough examination of the evidence against Gadling before proceeding with the hearing. The Elgar Parishad conclave, held on December 31, 2017, at Shaniwarwada in Pune, played a pivotal role in the legal proceedings against Gadling. Police allege that provocative speeches delivered during this event led to violent clashes the following day near the Koregaon-Bhima War Memorial. As a result, Gadling was charged with inciting violence through his participation in the conclave. His involvement in both the Elgar Parishad and Surjagarh cases has placed him at the center of ongoing legal scrutiny related to alleged ties with the Maoist movement. Gadling has been detained at Taloja Central Prison since June 2018, following his arrest in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case. The prosecution claims that his actions have contributed significantly to the unrest surrounding the Surjagarh mines and the subsequent violence in Pune. Despite these allegations, his legal team continues to argue for his release, citing the lack of substantial evidence linking him directly to the acts of arson and the broader Maoist network. The upcoming hearing on October 14 presents a critical juncture in his legal battle, with the outcome potentially affecting his continued imprisonment.