Bhima Koregaon Case Accused Mahesh Raut, Supreme Court grants him interim bail for 2 weeks to attend ceremonies related to his grandmother’s last rites.

Today (June 21, 2024), the Supreme Court (SC) of India granted interim bail to Mahesh Raut, the Bhima Koregaon case accused, for 2 weeks to attend ceremonies related to his grandmother’s last rites. The SC vacation bench constituting Justice Vikram Nath and Justice SVN Bhatti granted interim bail to Mahesh Raut from June 26 to July 10 and clarified that the accused has to surrender on July 10, 2024, without fail. The order of the court reads, “Taking into account the period of incarceration underwent, we grant two weeks interim bail to applicant which may commence from June 26, 2024, and end on July 10, 2024. Terms and conditions of release will be stated by the NIA Special Court. NIA can request a trial court to impose stringent conditions. The applicant shall surrender on July 10.” Earlier, the NIA (National Investigation Agency) opposed the interim bail application stating that the accused was involved in serious offences under UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act). Last, on June 14, the top Court heard the matter, when the then vacation bench, Justice PV Sanjay Kumar and Justice Augustine George Masih, was informed about the death of Raut’s grandmother. Her funeral was on May 26 and remaining ceremonies were scheduled for June 27. At the request of the NIA seeking time to file a reply, the matter was adjourned. Today, the bench agreed to grant interim bail for 2 weeks to Mahesh Raut to attend ceremonies related to his grandmother’s last rituals.