The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for next week to consider the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling. He has been in custody for over seven years in connection with the 2018 Elgar Parishad case. The court’s decision follows concerns raised by his legal counsel regarding repeated delays in the judicial process.
The Supreme Court of India has confirmed that it will hear the bail application of advocate Surendra Gadling in the upcoming week. This decision follows a request for an urgent listing of the matter, given that Gadling has remained incarcerated for over seven-and-a-half years. During the proceedings, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioner, noted that notice regarding the bail plea was initially issued in 2023, but the case has faced multiple adjournments and judicial recusals.
Context of the Legal Proceedings
The case against Gadling is linked to the 2018 Elgar Parishad event and allegations of Maoist links. The prosecution, led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has accused Gadling of providing aid to outlawed organizations and conspiring with others. Charges were framed under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code. Specifically, authorities allege that sensitive government information and maps were supplied to underground groups, and that local populations were incited to oppose mining operations in the Surjagarh region.
History of Judicial Delays
This legal matter has experienced significant delays, with previous attempts to expedite the hearing being deferred. On August 8, 2025, senior advocate Anand Grover had requested an early hearing, highlighting that the case had already seen 11 adjournments. Furthermore, on March 27, 2025, the Supreme Court had postponed the bail hearings for both Gadling and co-accused activist Jyoti Jagtap, alongside a related petition from the NIA challenging bail granted to activist Mahesh Raut. The Elgar Parishad case originated from investigations into provocative speeches delivered at a conclave in Pune on December 31, 2017, which police linked to subsequent violence near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial.
Next Steps for the Case
The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and including justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, acknowledged the request for urgency and assured that the matter would be listed for the following week. For all stakeholders involved, the primary focus remains on the upcoming court session, which will determine the next phase of the judicial review regarding the bail application and address the issues surrounding the prolonged duration of the legal process.