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Activist P. Varavara Rao, an accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court requesting permission to relocate permanently to Hyderabad. He cited his advanced age, declining health, and financial difficulties as primary reasons. The court has directed the National Investigation Agency to respond to the plea.
What Happened
P. Varavara Rao, an activist and poet involved in the ongoing Bhima Koregaon case, has formally approached the Bombay High Court to seek permission to permanently shift his residence from Mumbai to Hyderabad. A division bench of the court, led by Justices A.S. Gadkari and Kamal Khata, has heard the petition and directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to file its response. The court has scheduled the matter for a further hearing in two weeks.
The Legal and Personal Context
Mr. Rao, who is currently out on medical bail granted by the Supreme Court in August 2022, has been living in Mumbai under specific judicial conditions. These conditions originally included a mandate not to leave the jurisdiction of the special NIA court in Mumbai without express authorization. His latest appeal seeks to modify these terms to allow a permanent change of residence to Hyderabad, where he maintains property and has familial support, including medical professionals within his family.
Financial and Health Considerations
The petition highlights significant personal challenges, specifically focusing on health and financial sustainability. Mr. Rao has informed the court that his advanced age and ongoing health complications have made it difficult to manage daily life in Mumbai. He also detailed a widening gap between his living expenses and his fixed income, noting that his monthly expenses in Mumbai currently exceed ₹77,000, while his pension amounts to approximately ₹50,000. He argues that moving to Hyderabad would provide better family care and more manageable living conditions.
Previous Court Developments
This is not the first time the request for relocation has been brought before the judiciary. On March 16, 2026, a special NIA court rejected a similar application from Mr. Rao. At that time, the court observed that the bail conditions set by the Supreme Court allowed for temporary travel but did not authorize a permanent relocation from Mumbai. The current petition to the Bombay High Court is an effort to appeal for a modification of these restrictions based on the changed circumstances regarding his health and financial standing.
What to Monitor Next
The legal process will now proceed with the formal response from the National Investigation Agency. Observers and those following the case will watch for the NIA's submission and the subsequent arguments from Mr. Rao's legal team. The outcome will depend on how the High Court interprets the original bail conditions in light of the petitioner's current medical and financial claims. The next hearing, set for two weeks from the recent proceedings, will be the key date for further updates.