Surjagarh Mine Arson case: SC notice to Maharashtra Police on Surendra Gadling's bail plea
Oct 10, 2023
New Delhi [India], October 10 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Maharashtra government on a bail plea by advocate Surendra Gadling in connection with the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case.
A bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi sought a response from the State government within four weeks.
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on January 30 had refused to grant bail to Gadling.
While the High Court had noted while that prima facie the accusations against him were true.
On December 25, 2016, Maoist rebels allegedly set ablaze 76 vehicles that were being used for transporting iron ore from Surajgarh mines in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli.
Allegations against Gadling are that he provided aid to Maoists, who were working at the ground level. As per the prosecution, he entered into a conspiracy with various co-accused and some of those absconding in the case.
The prosecution had claimed that Gadling provided secret information about government activities and maps of certain areas to underground Maoist rebels.
He is also accused of having asked the Maoists to oppose the operation of the Surjagarh mines and instigated many locals to join the movement.
He was booked under various provisions of anti-terror law the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, and the Indian Penal Code.
