Supreme Court grants jailed activist Gautam Navlakha's house arrest plea

Navlakha has been told to deposit ₹2.4 lakh - the sum estimated by the NIA as expenses for deploying police to guard his home.

Updated on: Nov 10, 2022, 14:01:45 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted jailed activist Gautam Navlakha's request for house arrest for the period of one month on grounds of ill health, saying prima facie there appeared to be no reason to reject the medical report.

A bench of justices KM Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy said house arrest should begin within 48 hours and instructed Navlakha to deposit ₹2.4 lakh - the amount estimated by the National Investigation Agency as expense for the necessary deployment of police personnel to guard Navlakha's home.

Law enforcement agencies can inspect Navlakha's residence as required, the court said, stressing that this could not become a ruse to harass him.

Navlakha, 70, will also not be allowed to use a computer or any mobile communication device or access the internet for a month. He cannot leave Navi Mumbai and is only allowed to meet two family members a week.

He can use a phone - for 10 minutes only - provided by the police and can meet his lawyer. The court also ordered CCTV to be installed throughout his house.

READ | Jailed activist Gautam Navlakha denied phone call facility by state

Navlakha had approached the Supreme Court after the Bombay High Court rejected his request in April; the court ruled that his demand did not meet the requirements prescribed under a 2021 top court decision.

Navlakha's advocate, Warisha Farasat, had argued based on his age, medical condition and the fact he had no past criminal antecedents, and that he had been placed under house arrest before the NIA took custody in April 2020.

READ | On Navlakha's 'house arrest' request, SC gives NIA 48 hours to respond

He faces serious charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged links with a banned Maoist organisation - the Communist Party of India (Maoist) - and is presently incarcerated at Taloja Jail near Mumbai.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.