Mumbai: The National Investigation Agency has opposed the bail pleas of activist Sudha Bharadwaj and poet-activist Varavara Rao , arrested in the Elgar Parishad-Koregaon Bhima case, in the Bombay High Court.
Rao, who is 81, has been undergoing treatment at the Nanavati Hospital in the city since 16 Julyafter he tested positive for coronavirus.
The Bombay High Court directed the State government to allow Rao to speak to his family on video call as per hospital protocols. The HC also directed the court registry to provide Rao’s medical report — prepared by Nanavati Hospital — to his family and the NIA.
Justice A A Sayed and Justice Abhay Ahuja were hearing an appeal filed by Rao against an order of the special NIA court rejecting his bail application on medical grounds.
Additional Solicitor General, Anil Singh reminded the court that Rao had been denied bail on merit on previous occasions by the HC. He added that “this was a case in which the petitioner was involved in anti-national activities.”