From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is struck with an application by the special NIA court for an exension of one more year to frame the charges that were not done even after five years.
On January 16, the Supreme Court decided to proceed with hearing of the bail applications of activists Vrnon Gonsalves and ArunFerreire from January 30.
Last year in August while hearing Gonsalves’ plea, the apex court had given the Special Court three months’ time to decide whether charges are required to be framed against the accused or not. This three month period ended in November 2022, just when the Special Court sought an extension for another year!
The NIA has said that since the accused kept on filing applications, the court needed time to frame charges. The special court is hearing discharge pleas and informed the court that some accused are in the process of filing discharge pleas. The Special Court will first pass orders on their applications, then proceed with framing of charges, which will be the first step towards commencing the trial.
Given these developments it is pertinent to look at the timeline of the sequence of incidents through the case, right from the registration of FIRs, arrest of the accused and the duration of their incarceration. Criminal trials in India are notorious for their delays. Trials under the most stringent laws like the NIA Act fare even worse.
Bhima Koregaon Case – a Timeline
December 31, 2017: Elgar Praishad organised by former Supreme Court judge Justice PB Sawant and former high court judge Justice BG Kolse Patil regarding the historical significance of the battle fought between Peshwa Bajirao II and the British East Indian Company. In this battle, the British won and their army included members of Mahar Dalit community whose services were rejected by the Peshwas.
January 1, 2018: Violence broke out as Hindu right wing and Maratha groups had objected to the commemoration of the event which led to the death of 2 Dalits and several others were injured.
