Supreme Court Reschedules Hearing for Surendra Gadling’s Bail Request in Surjagarh Iron Ore Mine Arson Case
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Synopsis
The Supreme Court has deferred the hearing on attorney Surendra Gadling's bail plea in the Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case. The decision came due to the absence of the Maharashtra government's counsel. Gadling has been incarcerated for nearly six years, claiming false allegations against him.
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court adjourns hearing on Gadling’s bail plea.
- Hearing rescheduled for next week.
- Gadling has been imprisoned for over five years.
- Government requested multiple adjournments.
- Gadling maintains he is falsely accused.
New Delhi, Jan 30 (NationPress) The Supreme Court on Thursday postponed, until next week, the hearing regarding the bail request of attorney Surendra Gadling, who has been imprisoned in relation to the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case.
A bench led by Justice M.M. Sundresh chose to delay the hearing due to the absence of the Maharashtra government’s attorney.
Consequently, it scheduled the matter for discussion next week based on the mutual agreement of the involved parties.
Previously, on December 18, the bench presided over by Justice Sundresh postponed the hearing until the second week of January 2025 after Gadling’s lawyer indicated that the petitioner would require additional time to review the counter affidavit submitted by the Maharashtra government.
The apex court was addressing a special leave petition lodged by Gadling, contesting the rejection of his appeal under Section 21(4) of the NIA (National Investigation Agency) Act, seeking bail.
In an earlier session, the Supreme Court had granted the Maharashtra government a two-week period to respond to Gadling’s bail request. The representative for the state government had requested a "last opportunity" to file the counter-affidavit, citing delays in translating vernacular documents.
Countering this request, senior advocate Anand Grover, representing Gadling, informed the apex court that the Maharashtra government has sought adjournments on eight occasions thus far. Gadling has been imprisoned for five years and ten months while the trial is still in its early stages, Grover noted.
After two weeks, the apex court expressed: "A matter like this requires a hearing. This is not an ordinary case. We will provide a fixed date. List after two weeks."
In October 2023, the Supreme Court agreed to review Gadling’s petition and requested a response from the Maharashtra government. The anti-terror agency accused Gadling of allegedly engaging in a criminal conspiracy with Maoist insurgents to incinerate 76 trucks transporting iron ore from Surajgarh mines in Maharashtra. He is also alleged to be involved in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgaar Parishad violence—where riots erupted among various caste factions following "provocative" speeches delivered by Kabir Kala Manch activists on December 31, 2017, in Pune.
Gadling contended that he is a criminal law practitioner with over 25 years of experience and was unjustly implicated in the case, asserting that there is no prima facie evidence against him and the materials presented by the prosecution are neither credible nor admissible.
