Bhima Koregaon riots: Interim relief to Ekbote

One of the prime accused in the Bhima-Koregaon riots case, Milind Ekbote, was released on interim bail on furnishing two sureties of Rs 1 lakh each. The interim relief was given till February 20 by Supreme Court Judges Kurian Josef and Mohan Shantangounder on the ground that ‘reasoned order’ has not been uploaded by Bombay High Court registrar. The judges directed the HC registrar to upload the order.

“The Registry is directed to contact the Registry of the High Court and ascertain whether the full text of the Judgment has been released,” stated the interim order copy.

Mukul Rohtagi, learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioner, submits that the High Court has not released the full text of the judgment and only the operative portion of the judgment has been released.

Furthermore, the SC bench sought a response from Maharashtra state on plea of the prime accused in the Bhima Koregaon violence and role of Ekbote. SC asked the state to further apprise the judges regarding the law and order situation in the state since the January 1 incident and thereafter the violence in the bandh.

“The learned counsel for the State is directed to file an affidavit, within ten days from today, on the submissions made by the learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioner regarding the law and order situation in the area.”

Meanwhile, a Pune-based activist Sanjay Bhalerao has been allowed to intervene in this matter by the SC judges. “Prateek R Bombarde, learned counsel, appeared and submitted that he may be permitted to file intervention application on behalf of the victim Sanjay Ramesh Bhalerao. He is granted two days’ time to do so,” stated the judges.