Elgar Parishad case: NIA opposes Varavara Rao's bail plea
Mumbai: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday opposed poet-activist Varavara Rao's bail plea before the Bombay High Court, saying the Elgar Parishad case accused was being provided with the best possible medical aid and that the prison authorities would continue to offer him adequate medical treatment whenever required.
The 81-year-old accused in the Elgar Parishad-Koregaon Bhima case has been undergoing treatment at the Nanavati Hospital in the city since July 16 after he tested positive for coronavirus.
The HC, however, directed the state prison authorities to permit Rao's family members to contact him through video call.
He is also being treated for various other ailments, including a head injury that he sustained while at government-run JJ Hospital before he was shifted to Nanavati Hospital, a private facility.
A bench, led by Justice Amjad Sayed, was hearing a bail plea filed by Rao on health grounds before he contracted COVID-19.
On Monday, the NIA counsel, 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 (Rao) was involved in anti-national activities."
"He (Rao) was shifted from JJ Hospital to Nanavati Hospital, one of the best super speciality hospitals in the city, at the family's request. Jail authorities are taking best care in prisons.
"They are taking safety precautions, following ICMR guidelines," Singh said. "In the present case, jail authorities have taken best care, given best treatment so the family can't complain. "Jail authorities have stated they will continue taking care (of Rao) so nothing remains in the petition," Singh said, urging the court to not allow Rao's bail plea.
At this, the court asked if Rao was in the ICU or in a "regular room" at the hospital, and if his condition required regular monitoring?. Rao's counsel R Satyanarayan told the court that Rao's family had no information on his health since the last video call they were permitted to make was on July 31.
Satyanarayan said that the hospital authorities had told the family they were "taking some legal advice" before they could pass on any information on Rao's condition to them.
The bench then said that Rao be permitted to contact his family through a video call in accordance with hospital protocol. It directed the state prison authorities to permit Rao's family members to contact him through video call.
Following a previous order of another bench, the Nanavati Hospital had filed a report in court on August 10 detailing Rao's health condition and the treatment being given to him among other things.
Rao's family and the NIA both submitted that they were yet to receive the copies of the report. The court, therefore, permitted the parties to receive copies of the report. It is likely to hear Rao's bail plea further after two weeks.
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Karnataka: College student dies by suicide in Dharwad, 3 policemen suspended
Dharwad (Karnataka) (PTI): A college student allegedly died by suicide here, following which three policemen were suspended over allegations of harassment linked to his death by the victim's family.
Aditya Myageri, a BSc student at a private college here, was among 18 students detained by the Vidyagiri police on April 25 during an anti-drug drive, police said on Wednesday.
He hailed from Belur village in Bagalkot district, but was staying with his friends at a rented accommodation in Girinagar area of Dharwad city, police said.
Among the 18 students tested, Aditya was among the 10 who had tested negative for ganja consumption and was subsequently released.
Some of his roommates, however, tested positive.
According to police, Aditya's family alleged that despite testing negative, he was harassed by police. They also claimed some policemen demanded Rs 2,000 to settle the matter and threatened legal action if he failed to pay.
He had called his mother asking for money, but she could not arrange it immediately, the family claimed.
On Monday night, Aditya allegedly died by suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan at his rented accommodation, with his family alleging police harassment and pressure over demand for money drove him to the extreme step, a senior police officer said.
Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar told PTI that an unnatural death case has been registered at Vidyagiri police station. Three policemen have been suspended over the allegations, and further investigation is underway.
