Activists held for alleged Maoist links return home after SC reprieve

PUNE/MUMBAI: Civil society members on Thursday demanded action against the Pune police for a “vicious and malafide attack” against five activists arrested for alleged Maoist links, even as the investigators contended they had digital evidence to lead the probe to its logical conclusion and state government officials said they will present a “strong case” in the Supreme Court.

A day after the Supreme Court refused custody of the five activists — lawyer and trade union activist Sudha Bhardwaj, poet P Varavara Rao, activist Gautam Navlakha, and lawyers Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves — to the police and ordered house arrest till September 6, Pune police commissioner K Venkatesham said investigations will continue in the case.

“We will continue to investigate the case and will take it to its logical end. We have got some leads about people’s links with banned organisation,” said Venkatesham. He said investigating officials have strong “digital evidence”, which will be submitted in the court.

In Delhi, activists called the Tuesday arrests a mockery of the legal system. “It is a coup against the Constitution. It is a very dire situation, potentially more dangerous than the Emergency,” writer Arundhati Roy said, flanked by lawyer Prashant Bhushan and Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani, among others.

The five activists have been charged with criminal conspiracy, creating fear and enmity between groups, and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.