Bombay High Court
Dr. Anand Teltumbde vs The National Investigation ... on 18 November, 2022
Bench: A.S. Gadkari, Milind N. Jadhav
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
ATU
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 676 OF 2021
Dr. Anand Teltumbde
Occupation - Senior Professor,
Chair, Big Data Analytics,
Goa Institute of Management,
Age : 72 years,
Residing At - Goa Institute of Management,
Sanquelim, Goa - 403 505.
(At present Taloja Central Prison) .. Appellant
Versus
1. The National Investigation Agency,
Through its Superintendent
Having its office at Cumballa Hill,
Peddar Road, Mumbai - 400 026.
2. The State of Maharashtra. .. Respondents
Mr. Mihir Desai, Senior Advocate i/by Ms. Devyani Kulkarni for
Appellant.
Mr. Sandesh Patil a/w. Mr. Chintan Shah, Mr. Shrikant Sonakawade
and Mr. Prithviraj Gole, Advocate for Respondent No.1 - NIA.
Ms. J.S. Lohakare, APP for Respondent No.2 - State.
Mr. Pradip Bhale, Dy. S.P. NIA present.
CORAM : A.S. GADKARI &
MILIND N. JADHAV, JJ.
RESERVED ON : 11th November, 2022.
PRONOUNCED ON : 18th November, 2022.
JUDGMENT
. By this Appeal, filed under Section 21(4) of the National
Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (for short "NIA Act"), Appellant has
challenged the Order dated 12.07.2021 passed by the Special Judge,
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
Greater Bombay (for short "Trial Court") below Exh.377 in Special
Case No.414 of 2020 alongwith Special Case No.871 of 2020, rejecting
the Appellant's application for bail.
2. Appellant is arraigned as accused No.10 in FIR No. RC-
01/2020/NIA/MUM registered by National Investigation Agency (for
short "NIA") under Sections 120-B, 115, 121, 121-A, 124-A, 153, 201,
505(1)(b) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short "IPC") and
under Sections 13, 16, 17, 18, 18B, 20, 38 and 39 of Unlawful
Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (for short "UAP Act").
3. Facts which emerge from record in the present Appeal are
as under:
(i) On 31.12.2017, Bhima Koregaon Shaurya Din Prerana
Abhiyan organised an event called 'Elgaar Parishad' in
Shaniwarwada, Pune (for short "Elgar Parishad Program"). It
was decided to celebrate 200th anniversary of the historic
battle of Bhima Koregaon on 01.01.2018 by more than 200-
250 Social organisations under the banner of ' Bhima
Koregaon Shaurya Din Prerana Abhiyan' . The program was
held from 2:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. On 01.01.2018, mobs
bearing saffron flags attacked persons travelling to and
returning from Shaniwarwada Pune. There was large scale
violence and one youth lost his life.
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
(ii) A Zero(0) FIR was registered on 02.01.2018 at Pimpri
Chinchwad Police Station, Pune by an eye-witness, Ms. Anita
Salve under various provisions of IPC, Arms Act,1959,
Maharashtra Police Act, 1951 and Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes (Previsions of Atrocities) Act, 1989) (for
short "SC & ST Act") alleging involvement of Sambhaji
Bhide, Milind Ekbote and their followers for the attack and
violence. A State wide bandh was also called by several
Dalit, OBC, Maratha and Muslim organisations against the
attacks across Maharashtra State thereafter.
(iii) On 08.01.2018, first informant Mr. Tushar Damgude,
registered FIR No. 4 of 2018 under the provisions of
Sections 153-A, 505(1)(b), 117 read with 34 of IPC stating
that, the Elgar Parishad Program organised at
Shaniwarwada, Pune on 31.12.2017 was attended by him at
around 2:00 p.m., wherein there were a few speakers,
compere, singers and other performers who performed on
stage. That the speakers gave provocative speeches, their
performances were provocative in nature and had the effect
of disrupting columnal harmony. It is stated that banned
terrorist organisation Communist Party of India (Maoist)
(for short "CPI(M)") had an organisational role to play in
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
arranging the said program. CPI(M) wanted to infiltrate,
inculcate and permeate its ideology amongst the masses,
mostly impoverished classes and misguide them towards
violent unconstitutional activities. According to the
complainant Kabir Kala Manch's (for short "KKM") Sudhir
Dhawale, other members and activists had performed
provocative street plays in different areas of Maharashtra
earlier, made malice speeches and spread false history, made
disputable statements and objectionable slogans inciting
passion and hatred to disrupt communal harmony, sung
songs and participated in road dramas. On 31.12.2017,
these very activists amongst others performed skit / stage
plays at the 'Elgar Parsihad Program'. As a direct result of
which, on 01.01.2018 there were incidents of violence,
arson, stone pelting and caused death of an innocent person
near Bhima Koregaon, Pune.
(iv) Houses of Rona Wilson (Accused No. 2), Surendra Gadling
(Accused No. 3), Sudhir Dhawale (Accused No. 1), Harshali
Potdar, Sagar Gorkhe (Accused No. 13), Deepak Dhengale,
Ramesh Gaichor (Accused No. 14) and Jyoti Jagtap
(Accused No. 15) were searched by the police. Articles and
incriminating material seized during search was sent to the
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
Forensic Science Laboratory, Pune. Analysis of the seized
electronic / digital articles confirmed that accused Surendra
Gadling, Rona Wilson, Shoma Sen (Accused No. 4), Mahesh
Raut (Accused No. 5), Comrade M. @ Milind Teltumbade
(WA-1) (now deceased), Comrade Prakash @ Navin @
Rituprn Goswami (WA-2) (absconding), Comrade Manglu
(WA-3) (absconding), Comrade Deepu (WA-4) (absconding)
are involved in the crime. During investigation, the
investigating officer invoked provisions of Sections 13, 16,
17, 18, 18(B), 20, 38, 39, and 40 of the UAP Act.
(v) Accused Surendra Gadling, Rona Wilson, Smt. Shoma Sen,
Mahesh Raut and Sudhir Dhawale were arrested on
06.06.2018. Residences of Smt. Shoma Sen and Mahesh
Raut were searched, and Police seized digital devices and
other articles. Articles and material seized showed
involvement of more accused, viz; Varavara Rao (Accused
No. 6), Arun Ferreira (Accused No. 8), Smt. Sudha
Bharadwaj (Accused No. 9), Vernon Gonsalves (Accused No.
7), Stan Swamy (Accued No. 16), Gautam Navlakha
(Accused No. 11) and Appellant (Accused No.10). Their
names were added as accused on 23.08.2018 in present
crime.
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
(vi) Searches were conducted on 28.08.2018 at the
residences/workplaces of Varavara Rao, Smt. Sudha
Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira, Gautam Navlakha, Stan Swamy
and Vernon Gonsalves. Police arrested Varavara Rao, Smt.
Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha, Arun Ferreira and
Vernon Gonsalves and put them under house arrest. On
15.11.2018, Pune Police filed chargesheet under Sections
153-A, 505(1)(b), 117, 120-B, 121, 121-A, 124-A and 34 IPC
and Sections 13, 16, 17, 18, 18B, 20, 38, 39 and 40 of the
UAP Act against Sudhir Dhawale, Surendra Gadling, Shoma
Sen, Mahesh Raut, Rona and five absconding accused
persons namely Kishan da @ Prashanto Bose (WA-5), Milind
Teltumbde, Prakash @ Rituparn Goswami, Deepu and
Manglu. Subsequently, on 21.02.2019, Police filed
Supplementary Chargesheet under Sections 153-A, 505(1)
(b), 117, 120-B, 121, 121-A, 124-A & 34 IPC and Sections
13, 16, 17, 18, 18(B), 20, 38, 39 and 40 of the UAP Act
against Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves and
Sudha Bharadwaj and one absconding accused namely
Ganapathy @ Mupalla Laxman Rao (WA-6).
(vii) Appellant filed Writ Petition No.4596 of 2018 on 17.09.2018
in this Court seeking quashing of FIR No.4 of 2018.
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
(viii)On 15.11.2018, chargesheet was filed against the first five
accused in the above case under various provisions of IPC
and UAP Act.
(ix) On 21.12.2018, this Court dismissed Writ Petition No.4596
of 2018, however extending protection of three weeks to the
Appellant to approach the Supreme Court.
(x) On 14.01.2019, Supreme Court dismissed SLP (Cri.) No.59
of 2019 filed by the Appellant but extended his protection
from arrest for a period of four weeks to enable him to apply
for regular pre-arrest bail before the Trial Court.
(xi) Appellant filed Anticipatory Bail Application (ABA) before
the Special Court, Pune which was dismissed on 01.12.2019.
He approached this Court and filed ABA No.314 of 2019 in
which he was granted protection from arrest from time to
time.
(xii) On 21.02.2019 a further supplementary Chargesheet was
filed against four more accused persons in the above case
(but not against Appellant).
(xiii)On 24.01.2020, the Under Secretary to the Government,
Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, directed the
Respondent No. 1 - NIA to take up the investigation of FIR
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
No. 4/2018 of Vishrambaug Police Station. NIA re-registered
FIR RC-01/2020/NIA/Mum u/s. Sections 153-A, 505(1)(b),
117, 34 IPC and Sections 13, 16, 18, 18B, 20 and 39 of UAP
Act on 24.01.2020.
(xiv)On 14.02.2020, Appellant's ABA was dismissed by this Court
against which he approached the Hon'ble Supreme Court.
SLP (Cri.) No.1916 of 2020 against rejection of his ABA was
dismissed by the Supreme Court on 08.04.2020.
(xv) Appellant surrendered himself on 14.04.2020 pursuant to
the directions passed by the Supreme Court in its Order
dated 08.04.2020.
(xvi)On 09.10.2020, NIA filed Chargesheet against Appellant.
Appellant filed Regular Bail Application under Section 439
of the Cr.P.C. below exhibit 377 in the Special Court - NIA,
Greater Bombay. By Order dated 12.07.2021, the learned
Special Judge rejected Appellant's Bail Application. Hence,
Appellant is before us in Appeal against the Order dated
12.07.2021.
3.1. Respondent No.1 - NIA has filed Affidavit-in-Reply dated
15.11.2021. Appellant has tendered a separate compilation of 21
Judgments on 25.03.2022, some of which have been referred to by the
Appellant during the course of arguments. Appellant has also tendered
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
a separate convenience compilation of 169 pages sought to be relied
upon by him in support of his case at the time of hearing.
NIA has submitted a separate convenience compilation
(without index) of 341 pages at the time of hearing of the present
case. NIA has also submitted a compilation of 4 judgments. The
aforementioned compilations are taken on record. Most of the
documents and judgments sought to be relied upon by both parties are
common.
4. We have heard Mr. Mihir Desai, Senior Advocate for the
Appellant, Mr. Sandesh Patil, Special Public Prosecutor for NIA and
Ms. J.S. Lohakare, APP for the State of Maharashtra and with their
able assistance perused the entire record of the case produced before
us.
5. We have perused the Chargesheet. Charge against the
Appellant is contained in paragraph No.17 of the same. Paragraph
No.17.1 discloses that Appellant alongwith other co-accused is a
member of the CPI(M) and deeply involved in furtherance its agenda
through different means. Paragraph Nos.17.2 to 17.7 refer to CPI(M)
and its organisational network in great detail. Paragraph No.17.8 lists
10 organisations as frontal organisations of CPI(M) which are used by
members of CPI(M) to further its agenda. Specific charge against
Appellant, a gist of which is reproduced hereunder for the sake of
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
brevity:
(i) In paragraph No.17.24 it is charged that Appellant had
attended a meet organised by RDF at Hyderabad in 2012
and vehemently espoused the cause of reinvention of Dalit
Militancy as well revolutionary resurgence under the flag of
CPI(M). That RDF is a banned organisation in the State of
Andhra Pradesh for its work in furtherance of the CPI(M)
agenda;
(ii) paragraph No.17.25 states that the Appellant, working in
Goa Institute of Management took active participation in
Elgar Parishad Program;
(iii) paragraph No.17.29 states that the Appellant was the
General Secretary of CPDR and member of Anuradha
Ghandy Memorial Committee, both front organisations of
CPI(M);
(iv) paragraph No.17.30 states that Appellant was one of the
convenors of Elgar Parishad Program and was present at the
venue;
(v) paragraph No.17.31 states that Appellant attended
International Conferences under the guise of its academic
visits at Canada, Pakistan, USA, France etc. That he used to
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
exchange literature on ideology, training and work strategy
of CPI(M) with International Communist Organisations. That
he is the real elder brother of wanted accused Milind
Teltumbde, CCM and Secretary of Maharashtra - Madhya
Pradesh - Chhattisgarh (MMC) Zone of CPI(M). That he
met his brother during his urban area visits and shared
literature of Maoist ideology collected by him during
International Conferences;
(vi) paragraph No.17.32 states that he took efforts to release one
Murugan, a CPI(M) cadre from jail as well as for release of
G.N. Saibaba, another convicted accused in a CPI(M) related
case. That he appreciated the work of Shoma Sen (co-
accused) in connection with activities of CPDR at Nagpur;
(vii) paragraph No.17.33 states that Appellant's role was
appreciated by the Central Committee of CPI(M) in
connection with Elgar Parishad Program.
(viii) paragraph No.17.35 states that Appellant delivered a speech
in a program organised in the memory of Comrade Naveen
Babu, a Senior leader of CPI(M) under the banner of
'Comrade Naveen Babu Memorial Lecture';
(ix) paragraph No.17.37 states that Milind Teltumbde was
expanding the Naxal movement of Maoist in urban areas
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
with the help of Appellant and took guidance from him.
That he inspired Milind Teltumbde to join CPI(M)
movement;
(x) paragraph No.17.38 states that he visited Universities and
Institutions in India and abroad to deliver speeches related
to the left movement.
6. Mr. Desai would submit that Appellant is a highly educated
academician, author and social scientist who has received may
accolades for his works. He has served in the Corporate world and
pursuant to his retirement is engaged in academic work with various
Institutions. He submitted that Appellant's principal activity is
exhibited through his writings on 'Dalits' and the 'Social Structure' of
the Society at large.
6.1. That Appellant is 73 years old today. He holds a degree of
Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from VNIT,
Nagpur; MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad;
Doctorate in Management from the University of Mumbai in
Cybernetic Modelling for Public Systems and Doctorate of Literature
(Honorary) conferred by Karnataka State University, Mysore. He has
worked as Executive Director of Bharat Petroleum and Managing
Director and CEO of Petronet India Limited until 2010. Thereafter he
joined Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur as Professor of
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
Management until 2016. He has authored 26 books published
nationally and internationally and pioneered a theoretical critique on
Neoliberal Globalization vis-a-vis Dalits and other oppressed masses.
He has widely travelled across India and the world and was invited by
Universities in the USA, Canada and Europe for delivering lectures on
Contemporary Social, Economic and Political issues in academics. He
has contributed his writings extensively to leading news papers,
magazines and booklets. He has participated in numerous fact
findings teams over the last three decades which have produced
widely acclaimed reports and issues such as Tsunami Rehabilitation
efforts, Caste Atrocities, Communal Conflagration etc. He has worked
on the editorial boards of Samaj Prabodhan Patrika, Vidrohi and many
such other progressive publications and contributes widely to other
progressive journals like Economic and Political Weekly, Mainstream,
Frontier and Seminar. He is recipient of several prestigious awards
and recognition from reputed Public Institutions / Foundations across
the country. He was the President of the last Vichar Vedh Sammelan,
a prestigious Forum for Progressive Intellectuals in Maharashtra in
2007. At the time of his arrest he was working in the Goa Institute of
Management, Goa as a Senior Professor. He suffers from a number of
chronic ailments and age infirmities and was under treatment for
Chronic Bronchial Asthma, Cervical Spondylitis, Supraspinatus
Tendiriosis and Prostatomegaly at the time of arrest and is under
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
regular medication for control of hypertension or depression. The
medical record of Appellant being part of the second supplementary
chargesheet are not in dispute.
6.2. He has made the following submissions with a direct
reference to the present case:
(i) Considering his credentials, Appellant received a phone call
from Justice P.B. Sawant (Retd) through his Secretary,
however since he was busy Justice Kolse-Patil (Retd) spoke
to him and invited him to attend the Conference which they
were planning to celebrate on the occasion of 200 th year of
the Bhima - Koregaon battle in Maharashtra. Since
Appellant was busy with a newly started Program at the Goa
Institute of Management, he excused himself for attending
the meeting. However, he was convinced to be a part of the
Convenor Committee to which he agreed considering the
above request. Sometime in November - December 2017
Appellant received through whats-app a copy of the
pamphlet of the Program. Appellant disagreed with the
agenda of Elgar Parishad Program printed in the pamphlet
and wrote a critical article for The Wire (a digital news
portal) titled "The Myth of Bhima Koregaon Reinforces the
Identities It Seeks to Transcend" . This article received critical
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
condemnation as it angered Dalits across the country.
Mr. Desai submitted that, this instance which is a
prelude to the Elgar Parishad Program in the case of
Appellant establishes his intellectual independence and
thinking as opposed to the Elgar Parishad Program.
(ii) That Appellant has been indicted in the second
Supplementary Chargesheet filed by NIA stating that
Appellant is one of the Convenor of the Elgar Parishad
Program since his name appears in the pamphlet / invitation
card.
(iii) That Appellant visited Pune on 30.12.2017 and 31.12.2017
to attend the marriage of son of his close friend, Mr. Joshi.
He travelled from Goa to Pune on 30.12.2017 alongwith his
wife and two drivers in his personal car. He reached Pune at
7:30 p.m. on 30.12.2017. He and his wife were put up by
his friend in Shreyas Hotel. On the following day, he and his
wife attended the wedding reception of his friend's son and
checked out of Shreyas Hotel at 10:00 a.m. On their way
back to Goa they decided to pay a brief visit to
Shaniwarwada to meet their relatives which was at a
distance of 3 kms. from Shreyas Hotel. They spent some
time between 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Shaniwarwada
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
and thereafter left in their car towards Goa. They reached
Goa at 11:00 p.m. with a brief half at Satara where they
changed all 4 tyres of their car due to puncture.
Mr. Desai would submit that according to NIA presence
of Appellant in Pune on the date of Elgar Parishad Program
and his brief visit to Shaniwarwada was indicative of the fact
that Appellant being one of the Nimantrak (inviter) had
come to oversee the preparation of the program venue and
was connected with the Elgar Parishad Program.
(iv) That Appellant did not deliver any speech at the Elgar
Parishad Program which commenced from 02:30 p.m. and
went until until 10:00 - 10:30 p.m. in the night; That
according to NIA and the Supplementary Chargesheet
namely paragraph Nos.17.2 to 17.51, incriminating material
like books, articles, documents and lengthy quotes, inter
alia, pertaining to CPI(M) were seized from accused No. 2 -
Rona Wilson which refer to the organisation's policy,
formulations of ideological, political and organisational
issues and Appellant was instrumental in bringing the
aforesaid material in pen-drive and data base while
attending International Conferences abroad and dis-
seminating the information to the cadre of CPI(M) and thus
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
was an active member of CPI(M).
For record it needs to be stated here that CPI(M) is a
banned terrorist organisation at Serial No.34 under the First
Schedule to the UAP Act.
Mr. Desai would submit that as against this allegation
the alleged material referred to and relied upon by NIA is
readily available on the internet on several security and
political websites like security portal
www.bannedthought.net and in several books published by
reputed publishers and hence without specifying the
material and disclosing the same it would be preposterous to
charge the Appellant. He submitted that NIA has failed to
disclose and put forth the alleged material not only before
the Trial Court but even before this Court.
(v) That according to the prosecution several documents have
been recovered and seized from the computer of accused
No.2 Rona Wilson, and four letters refer to the name
'Anand', 'Comrade Anand' and 'brother Anand' which are
indicative of the fact that Appellant is an active member of
CPI(M). Appellant is the elder brother of Milind Teltumbde
(wanted accused No.1) who was leader of the Central
Committee (CC) of CPI(M) overlooking its urban area
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
operations and Appellant was in constant and regular touch
with him in supplying the aforementioned incriminating
material to the CPI(M) for dis-semination. That Appellant
was the think tank of the banned activities of CPI(M) and
intellectually and ideology connected with CPI(M). That
therefore Appellant was an active member of CPI(M) and
actively coordinated and worked with the various co-accused
in the present case in furthering its agenda. He submitted
that Milind Teltumbde incidentally has been eliminated in
an encounter with the security forces some time last year
and is no more alive. Mr. Desai would submit that in so far
as this allegation of NIA is concerned, it is far from remote to
consider even such a case without any material proof against
Appellant. That Appellant being member of the Committee
for Protection of Democratic Rights (for short "CPDR") and
having attended its meetings since 2002 or having attended
International Conferences does not automatically translate
into the Appellant being an active member of CPI(M). He
submitted that Appellant has produced all details of his visits
abroad for attending International Conferences etc. which
have either been sponsored by his employers or he has paid
for such visits from his own pocket. According to him the
allegation that CPI(M) has sponsored his foreign visits is a
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
preposterous allegation as there is no material evidence
brought before the Court and on the contrary Appellant has
in fact placed every detail of the Conferences / purposes and
places visited by him abroad.
(vi) That prosecution has relied upon statements of two key
witnesses which have referred to the Appellant as having
being in touch with Milind Teltumbde (his younger brother)
for strategizing training and influencing the ideology of
CPI(M) to its cadres. To this Mr. Desai would submit that
Appellant has never met Milind Teltumbde for the last 30
years since Milind went underground and the evidence of
the key witnesses is purely hearsay which needs to be tested
by this Court prima facie.
(vii) That NIA has heavily relied on a chit of Accounts for 2017
and one specific entry therein which reads as, " Anand T.
(===R === 90 T from Surendra (through Milind )".
According to NIA this chit is indicative of Appellant having
received funds from the CC of CPI(M) from Surendra
(Accused No.3 - Surendra Gadling) and through Milind
(wanted accused No.1) being brother of Appellant. That
these funds were received for carrying out and furthering
the anti national agenda of CPI(M).
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
(viii)Mr. Desai would further submit that there has been no
recovery of any incriminating material from Appellant. That
his antecedents are spot clean without any blemish and that
there is no recovery of any cash or receipt of any monies in
his bank account. That he did not play any active role in the
Elgar Parishad Program nor does he have any nexus with the
CPI(M). That there is no proof or any material brought on
record even prima facie to show that Appellant's
international visits were sponsored by CPI(M) and he had
brought incriminating material from abroad and thus no
prima facie case has made out to incarcerate him in the
present case.
7. Mr. Desai in support of his submissions on behalf of
Appellant has referred to the judgments relied upon by NIA and
additionally relied upon the following decisions:-
1. Arup Bhuyan Vs. State of Assam 1;
2. Indra Das Vs. State of Assam 2;
3. Union of India Vs. K.A. Najeeb3;
4. Kamlesh & Anr. Vs. State of Rajasthan & Anr4;
5. Vikram Vinay Bhave Vs. State of Maharashtra 5;
6. Dhan Singh Vs. Union of India 6;
1 (2011) 3 SCC 377
2 (2011) 3 SCC 380
3 (2021) 3 SCC 713
4 2019 SCC Online SC 1822
5 2021 (2) Bom CR (Cri.) 564
6 2019 SCC Online Bom 5721
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
7. Thwaha Fasal Vs. Union of India 7;
8. Sudesh Kedia Vs. Union of India 8;
9. Kalyan Kumar Gogoi Vs. Ashutosh Agnihotri & Anr. 9;
10. State of Bihar Vs. Radha Krishna Singh & Ors. 10;
11. H. Siddiqui Vs. A. Ramalingam 11;
12. Ramji Dayawala & Sons (P) Ltd. Vs. Invest Import 12;
13. Ashim Vs. National Investigation Agency 13;
14. Konnath Muralidharan Vs. State of Maharashtra 14;
15. Saidulu Narsimha Singapanga Vs. State of Maharashtra 15;
16. Common Cause & Ors. Vs. Union of India & Ors. 16;
17. Gautam Navlakha Vs. National Investigation Agency 17;
18. Devendar Gupta & Ors. Vs. National Investigation Agency 18;
19. M. Londhoni Devi Vs. National Investigation Agency 19;
20. Union of India Vs. Shiv Shanker Kesari 20;
21. Arjun Panditrao Khotkar Vs. Kailash Kushanrao Gorantyal &
Ors.21
7.1. Thrust of Mr. Desai's submissions while referring to the
ratios of the aforesaid judgments is to persuade us to consider the
settled legal position about points / criteria to be considered for
deciding application for bail on the basis of following parameters:-
(i) whether there is any prima facie or reasonable ground to
7 2021 SCC Online SC 1000
8 (2021) 4 SCC 704
9 (2011) 2 SCC 532
10 (1983) 3 SCC 118
11 (2011) 4 SCC 240
12 (1982) 1 SCC 80
13 (2022) 1 SCC 695
16 (2017) 11 SCC 731
17 2021 SCC Online SC 382
18 (2014) 2 ALD (Cri) 251
19 (2007) 4 Gau LR 120 (Gau)
20 (2007) 7 SCC 798
21 (2020) 7 SCC 1
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
believe that accused committed the offence;
(ii) nature and gravity of charge;
(iii) severity of punishment in the event of conviction;
(iv) danger of accused absconding or fleeing, if released on bail;
(v) character, behaviour, means, position and standing of
accused;
(vi) likelihood of the offence being repeated;
(vii) reasonable apprehension of the witnesses being tampered
with;
(viii)danger, of course, of justice being thwarted by grant of bail;
(ix) when it comes to offences punishable under special
enactments, such as the UAP Act, something more is
required to be kept in mind in view of the special provisions
contained in Section 43-D of the UAP Act, inserted by Act
35 of 2008 w.e.f. 31.12.2008;
(x) that the doctrine of "guilt by association" does not apply in
the present case and mere membership of the banned
organisation assuming at the highest will not make a person
criminal unless he resorts or incites people to violence or
creates public disorder by violence or incitement to violence
under the UAP Act; and
(xi) that merely because the Appellant has been arraigned as co-
accused in the Supplementary Chargesheet would not lead
to the presumption that he is involved in any of the terrorist
activities or terrorist act of the banned organisation CPI(M)
unless it is prima facie proved to the contrary with cogent
material on record.
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
7.2. He has therefore submitted that the Appellant deserves to be
enlarged on bail in the present case.
8. PER-CONTRA, Mr. Patil, learned Special Public Prosecutor
appearing for NIA has laboriously and vehemently opposed the
Appellant's case for enlargement on bail. He has painstakingly taken
us through the gamut of NIA's case against the Appellant which is
reflected in the second Supplementary Chargesheet filed by NIA. He
has made the following submissions to oppose grant of bail to the
Appellant.
(i) That Appellant is an active and senior member of CPI(M)
working in the urban areas and he was in contact with the
other arrested co-accused namely Sudhir Dhawale, Rona
Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Shoma Sen,
Varavara Rao, Gautam Navlakha, Smt. Sudha Bharadwaj,
Arun Ferriera, Vernon Gonsalves, Stan Swamy & Hany Babu
and Harshali Potdar who are members of CPI(M) and has
been actively involved in furthering the larger conspiracy
and commission of various crimes on behalf of the terrorist
organisation.
(ii) That Appellant was the General Secretary of CPDR and a
member of Anuradha Ghandy Memorial Committee (for
short "AGMC") which are frontal organisations of the CPI(M)
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
and which work on the direction of CPI(M).
(iii) Appellant was one of the Convenor of the Elgar Parishad
Program and specifically marked his presence at the venue
in Shaniwarwada, Pune on 31.12.2017.
(iv) That Appellant in his capacity as General Secretary of CPDR
took efforts for the release of a CPI(M) cadre named
Murugan and G.N. Saibaba (another convict) accused in a
CPI(M) related case.
(v) That Appellant had appreciated the works and efforts of one
of the co-accused namely Shoma Sen in connection with the
activity of CPDR at Nagpur.
(vi) That Appellant was instrumental in organising fact finding
missions on the direction of CPI(M).
(vii) That Appellant's role in connection with the crime which
followed after the Elgar Parishad Program was appreciated
by the Central Committee of CPI(M) by giving directions to
Appellant and other co-accused to continue with the
nefarious activities of CPI(M).
(vii) That CPI(M) has sponsored and allocated Rs.10,00,000/- to
the Appellant to pay for his international campaigns and
visits for furtherance of CPI(M)'s agenda.
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
(viii) That the material recovered and seized from one of the co-
accused (Rona Wilson) establishes that after the Bhima
Koregaon incident on 01.01.2018 wherein one person lost
his life, Milind Teltumbde, younger brother and wanted
accused of Appellant appreciated the agitation as being very
effective and directed Rona Wilson to exploit the death of
the youth and to prepare future agitations and propaganda.
That while doing so, Appellant's name figured in the letter as
"brother Anand".
(ix) That CPI(M) used the platform of Elgar Parishad Program to
further its agenda and ideology with the help of members of
its frontal organisation like Kabir Kala Manch (KKM) and
other underground urban cadres. That Milnd Teltumbde
(wanted co-accused) was deeply inspired by the Appellant
for joining the CPI(M) movement and he regularly met
Appellant for taking his guidance to further the movement of
CPI(M).
(x) That the Appellant during his international campaigns and
visits abroad visited Philippines, Peru, Turkey and other
countries and brought literature and videos related to Maoist
ideology, Maoist tactics, Weapons used by them, Planning of
sudden attacks inspite of routine Tactical Counter Offensive
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
Campaign (TCOC) during Naxal weeks, expansion and
extension of zones and recruitment of cardres for CPI(M), all
of which was used for training and strategic development of
party members of CPI(M) after approval in CC meetings in
the Abujmaad area.
(xi) That Appellant has delivered speeches on the Left movement
in India and abroad and has tried to align "Dalit movement"
with the "armed revolutionary movement" as a well thought-
out strategy of CPI(M).
(xii) That the incriminating documents seized from the other co-
accused in the present case refer to the Appellant and his
role in furthering Maoist ideology in overthrowing the
democratically elected government in our country.
(xiii)That Appellant attended a conference of the banned
organisation called Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF) in
April 2012 just a few months before it came to be banned.
That Appellant and some of the co-accused in the present
case are office bearers of the Anuradha Ghandy Memorial
Trust and conspired to organize events to celebrate 50 th
anniversary of Naxalbari movement and involve students in
the same to further the ideology and terrorist activities of
CPI(M).
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
8.1. He has referred to and relied upon a compilation of four
judgments viz; (i) National Investigation Agency Vs. Zahoor Ahmad
Saha Watali 22, (ii) Hany Babu Vs. National Investigation Agency 23,
(iii) Jyoti Jagtap Vs. National Investigation Agency 24 and (iv) Anand
Teltumbde Vs. State of Maharashtra 25 and submitted that the role of
the Appellant in the present crime has to be considered on a higher
footing as he being the think tank and a senior and active member of
the CPI(M) than the role played by Hany Babu (Accused No.12) or for
that matter even Jyoti Jagtap (Accused No.15) who have been denied
bail by this Court in the same case. He submitted that Appellant's role
needs to be distinguished critically. He therefore submitted that, the
present Appeal be dismissed.
9. It is to be noted that the UAP Act was brought into existence
to meet extraordinary situations and in particular, to deal with the
orchestrated crimes through organisations, aimed at destabilisation or
causing damage to the country. The UAP Act enables the Government
to impose prohibition on the organisations after following the
prescribed procedure. Once an organisation is prohibited under the
UAP Act, any person associated with it, becomes amenable for trial, for
the offences punishable under the various provisions of the Act, apart
from other penal enactments. The provisions of the Act also get
22 (2019) 5 SCC 1
23 Cri. Appeal. 351 of 2022
24 Cri. Appeal. 289 of 2022
25 Cri. W.P. 4596 of 2018
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
attracted, if an individual, though not associated with any prohibited
organisation, indulges in disruptive and terrorist activities, in
association with other individuals.
10. Having regard to the gravity of the offences that become
triable under the provisions of the Act, the Parliament introduced
Section 43-D of the UAP Act, making it some what difficult for a
person accused of such offence, to get bail. We have referred to the
provisions of Section 43-D(5) and (6) in the present case.
11. From a perusal of the said provisions, especially the proviso
to sub-section (5) of Section 43-D, it becomes clear that the Court
dealing with the case shall not grant bail to any person, if, on a perusal
of the case diary, or the charge-sheet, it is of the opinion that there are
reasonable grounds for believing that the accusation against such
person is prima facie true. This is an extraordinary phenomenon and a
deviation from the ordinary Criminal Law. Naturally, therefore the
approach to such a case is required to be cautious and careful. By its
very nature, the exercise to be undertaken by a Court in relation to
this provision is therefore somewhat typical and delicate.
12. The expression of opinion in this behalf must be in such a
way that, it does not have any bearing upon the trial. The purpose for
which the Parliament employed the expression "reasonable grounds
for believing" and "prima facie true" must be clearly borne in mind on
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
the basis of the material placed before the Court. However, the
formation of opinion must be, for the limited purpose of considering
the application for bail only.
13. In this context, we may usefully refer to the guidelines laid
down by the Division Bench of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh in
the decision of Devendra Gupta & Ors. (22nd supra) which would
provide adequate guidance for the Court to form an opinion in respect
of accusation in such cases, as to whether the accusation in such cases
is "prima facie true". The Court has set down the following
parameters:-
(i) Whether the accused is/are associated with any
organization, which is prohibited through an order
passed under the provisions of the Act;
(ii) Whether the accused was convicted of the offences
involving such crimes, or terrorist activities, or though
acquitted on technical grounds; was held to be
associated with terrorist activities;
(iii) Whether any explosive material, of the category used in
the commission of the crime, which gave rise to the
prosecution; was recovered from, or at the instance of
the accused;
(iv) Whether any eye witness or a mechanical device, such
as CC camera, had indicated the involvement, or
presence of the accused, at or around the scene of
occurrence; and
(v) Whether the accused was/were arrested, soon after the
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
occurrence, on the basis of the information, or clues
available with the enforcement or investigating
agencies.
14. It is seen that if the material available with the prosecution,
be it the form of case diary, or the chargesheet, reveals existence of
any of the factors, referred to above, the Court can form an opinion
that there exist reasonable grounds to show that the accusation is
"prima facie true". In the absence of such, or other similar factors,
formation of opinion may be to the detriment of the Appellant and
would make a serious dent into the realm of his personal liberty. In a
way, it can be said that the exercise akin to this one is provided for
under the Preventive Detention law. What becomes common to both
situations is that, the persons are deprived of liberty, without trial. It
is too well-known that when a preventive detention is ordered, the
Court or authority is placed under obligation to scrutinize the
adequacy of the material, apart from compliance with the procedural
requirements.
15. In view of the above settled legal position, we will have to
prima facie refer to the material placed before us with caution.
16. Before we advert to the material, it will be apposite to refer
to 3 Supreme Court decisions which are relied upon by both sides
specifically in respect of the power of this Court to decide such an
application.
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
17. Both parties have referred to the case of National
Investigation Agency Vs. Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali (1st supra) in
support of their respective submissions while considering the prayer
for bail in relation to offences under UAP Act and Special enactments.
It is submitted that Court is required to record its opinion that there
are reasonable grounds for believing that the allegations and
accusations against such person are " prima facie true" and such
recording of satisfaction would mean that the material/evidence
recovered, seized and collated by the Investigating Agency in reference
to the accusation against accused in the FIR must prevail until
contradicted and/or disproved by other evidence and that such
material on the face of it shows complicity of accused in the
commission of the stated offence. Our attention has been drawn to
paragraph Nos.23 and 24 of the decision which is the settled law and
it is urged to record a finding on the basis of broad probabilities
regarding involvement of Appellant in the crime which according to
the Appellant is far from remote. Paragraph No.24 of the said
judgment is relevant and read thus:-
"24. A priori, the exercise to be undertaken by the Court
at this stage - of giving reasons for grant or non-grant of
bail - is markedly different from discussing merits or
demerits of the evidence. The elaborate examination or
dissection of the evidence is not required to be done at
this stage. The Court is merely expected to record a
finding on the basis of broad probabilities regarding the
involvement of the accused in the commission of the
stated offence or otherwise."
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
17.1. In the case of Dhan Singh (10th Supra) decided by a Co-
ordinate Bench of this Court, the interpretation of the words " prima
facie" coupled with the word "true" and the exercise which the Court
needs to undertake in this context on the basis of material on record,
as also interpretation of the words "reasonable ground" as appearing
in Section 43-D(5) of UPA Act is explained and highlighted. We find it
useful to reproduce paragraph No.17 and 18 for reference which read
thus:
"17. When the word "prima facie" is coupled with the word
"true", it implies that the court has to undertake an exercise of
cross- checking the truthfulness of the allegations made in the
complaint, on the basis of the materials on record. If the court
finds, on such analysis, that the accusations are inherently
improbable or wholly unbelievable, it may be difficult to say
that a case, which is "prima facie true", has been made out. In
doing this exercise, the court has no liberty to come to a
conclusion, which may virtually amount to an acquittal of the
accused. Mere formation of opinion by the court, on the basis of
the material placed before it, is sufficient. In the matter of
Jayanta Kumar Ghosh (supra) the Hon'ble Division Bench of
Gauhati High Court interpreted provisions of Section 41D(5) of
the NIA Act and exhaustively dealt with meaning of words
"prima facie, true, and reasonable ground". Paragraphs 69, 74,
78 and 82 of the said judgment can be quoted with advantage.
"69 From the meaning, attributed to the word
"prima facie", by various dictionaries, as indicated
above, and the observations, made by the Supreme
Court, in its decisions, in The Management of the
Bangalore Woollen Cotton and Silk Mills, (supra)
what clearly follows is that prima facie is a Latin
word, which means, At first sight or glance or on its
face and in common law it is referred to as "the first
piece of evidence of fact" i.e., considered true
unless revoked or contradicted."
"74 The term "true" would mean a proposition
that the accusation brought against the accused
person, on the face of the materials collected
during investigation, is not false. The terms false
again would mean a proposition, the existence of
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
which cannot be a reality. While arriving at a
finding whether there are reasonable grounds for
believing that the accusation against the accused is
prima facie true or false, the court can only look
into the materials collected during investigation,
and on its bare perusal should come to a finding
that the accusation is inherently improbable,
however, while so arriving at a finding the court
does not have the liberty to come to a conclusion
which may virtually amount to acquittal of the
accused."
"78 The expression, "reasonable ground", means
something more than prima facie ground, which
contemplates a substantially probable case for
believing that the accused is guilty of the offence(s)
alleged. Under Section 437 Cr.P.C. an accused is
not to be released on bail if there appear reasonable
grounds for believing that he has been guilty of an
offence, which is punishable with death or
imprisonment for life. Under Section 437 Cr.P.C.,
the burden is on the prosecution to show existence
of reasonable ground for believing that the accused
is guilty. Hence, the presumption of innocence,
which always runs in favour of the accused, is
displaced only on the prosecution showing
existence of reasonable ground to believe that the
accused is guilty. [See Union of India v.
Tharmssharasi, (1995) 4 SCC 190 and Union of
India v. Shiv Shankar Kesari, (2007) 7 SCC 798.]"
"82 In short, thus, while the Special Court,
constituted under the NIA Act, does not suffer from
the limitations, which the TADA courts had by
virtue of the provisions of Section 20(8), read with
Section 20(9) thereof, the fact remains that the
Special Court, not being a court of Sessions or of
the High Court, cannot exercise the powers of the
Court of Sessions or High Court under Section 439
Cr.P.C. Hence, while dealing with the scheduled
offences, covered by the proviso to sub-Section (5)
of Section 43-D, Special Court, constituted under
the NIA Act, would suffer not only from the
limitations imposed by clauses (i) and (ii) of sub-
Section (1) of Section 437, but also by the proviso
to sub-Section (5) of Section 43D of the UA(P) Act,
1967, wherever the provisions, contained in the
proviso to Section 43D(5), would be applicable."
18. In the matter of Bharat Mohan Rateshwar (supra) and
Ashringdaw Warisa @ Partha Warisa (supra) while reiterating
the similar position of the law in this regard, it is reiterated that
in a case, investigated by the agency, if the Special Court forms
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
an opinion that there are reasonable grounds for believing that
the accused has committed an offence punishable with death or
imprisonment for life, the Special Court would have no
jurisdiction to grant bail."
17.2. The next decision is of the Supreme Court in the case of
Thwaha Fasal (11th supra). Paragraph No.23 is relevant and reads
thus:-
"23. Therefore, while deciding a bail petition filed by an
accused against whom offences under Chapters IV and VI of the
1967 Act have been alleged, the Court has to consider whether
there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accusation
against the accused is prima facie true. If the Court is satisfied
after examining the material on record that there are no
reasonable grounds for believing that the accusation against the
accused is prima facie true, then the accused is entitled to bail.
Thus, the scope of inquiry is to decide whether prima facie
material is available against the accused of commission of the
offences alleged under Chapters IV and VI. The grounds for
believing that the accusation against the accused is prima facie
true must be reasonable grounds. However, the Court while
examining the issue of prima facie case as required by sub-
section (5) of Section 43D is not expected to hold a mini trial.
The Court is not supposed to examine the merits and demerits
of the evidence. If a charge sheet is already filed, the Court has
to examine the material forming a part of charge sheet for
deciding the issue whether there are reasonable grounds for
believing that the accusation against such a person is prima
facie true. While doing so, the Court has to take the material in
the charge sheet as it is."
17.3. As seen, the Supreme Court in the case of Watali (1st supra)
has held that at this stage, as is the Appellant's case, it is not the duty
of the Court to weigh the evidence meticulously but to arrive at a
finding based on broad probabilities. Therefore we have carefully
perused the material available on record relied upon by NIA against
the Appellant in the context of the provisions of Section 43-D(5) of the
UAP Act.
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
18. The material relied by the NIA against the Appellant for his
alleged role in the present crime is as under:-
18.1. 1st document:- Letter at page No.1 of NIA's compilation is
addressed by one Prakash to Comrade Anand. This letter states that
the Central Committee (CC) is pleased with the progress that
(Comrade Anand) has made on the Dalit campaign and it calls upon to
explore more opportunities to propagate the issue on the international
front. It states that the CC has agreed to allocate additional funds
(10L yearly) to organise International Seminars and lectures on Dalit
issues. That CC has sent funds for (Comrade Anand's) upcoming (9-10
April) Human Rights convention in Paris. It calls upon for co-
ordination with friends in America and France and reiterates to keep
the fire ablaze. This letter is recovered by NIA from the seized
computer of Rona Wilson. According to NIA contents of this letter
prima facie proved that Appellant addressed as 'dear Comrade Anand'
is an active member of CPI(M); the reference 'CC' in the letter to the
Central Committee of CPI(M) and Appellant has been congratulated
and called upon to organize international seminars and lectures for
which funds have been sanctioned by CPI(M).
18.1.1. According to NIA, Appellant therefore is an active member
of CPI(M), a banned terrorist organisation under the UAP Act. NIA has
contended that the Director of Goa Institute of Management where
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
Appellant is employed has issued letter dated 10.08.2020 and annexed
details of all his travel itinerary and expenses which are reimbursed by
the Institute in the case of Appellant. This letter is at page 330 of the
compilation of NIA. It is contended by NIA that in so far as Appellant's
visit to Paris and Budapest on 09.04.2018 is concerned, he was on
leave and expenses were not incurred by the Institute and hence it is
to be deduced that the expenses were borne by CPI(M). We have
perused the seized letter at page No.1 of the compilation and the letter
dated 10.08.2020 issued by the Goa Institute of Management. Prima
facie reading of both the letters reveal that Appellant has travelled
extensively from 11.07.2016 to 05.03.2020 while on leave and being
out of office on his own expenses on at least 64 occasions. All such
details of the 64 trips have been given in annexure 2 appended to the
letter dated 10.08.2020. It is to be noted that Appellant is employed
with the Goa Institute of Management as a Senior Professor. That
apart, between 24.08.2016 and 31.03.2020 Appellant has travelled for
official work of the Institute with all travel expenses paid by the
Institute on at least 26 occasions. It is pertinent to note that when the
Appellant has travelled at his own expenses outside Goa he has
travelled for delivery of addresses, lectures, speeches, as a resource
person etc. to renowned Institutions like the London School of
Economics, Harvard University, MIT, Michigan University, Paris,
Budapest and various universities and reputed institutes in India like
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
IIT Madras, IIT Hyderabad, IIM Ahmedabad. Letter at page No.1 is not
recovered and seized from the custody of Appellant.
18.1.2. Submission of NIA that contents of 1st document prima facie
invoke provisions of Section 15 of the UAP Act is not acceptable and
palatable to us when we read the letter as it is. It is seen that
Appellant is a man of intellectual prominence in the field of Dalit
ideology / movement and merely because he is the elder brother of
wanted accused Milind Teltumbde who had gone underground 30
years ago to espouse the cause of CPI(M) cannot be a sole ground to
indict the Appellant and link him to the activities of CPI(M). On
reading the letter as it is we cannot presume that Appellant is an
active member of CPI(M) without there been any other material to
corroborate and support such a theory.
18.2. 2nd document:- Letter dated 08.06.2017 at page No.2 of
NIA's compilation is addressed by Comrade M to Comrade Surendra.
Paragraph No.2 of this letter refers to 'Comrade Anand'. The relevant
portion relied upon by NIA reads thus:
"Secondly, we want to put special focus on the upcoming AGM
meet in October. This year being 50 th Anniversary of Naxalbari
movement at least a day long program should be organised on
this theme. Comrade Anand has made a few good suggestion
for this programme. The party leadership concurs with it and
believes that participation of students in the CPDR must be
intensified."
18.2.1. NIA has contended that reference to 'Comrade Anand' in this
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
letter is to Appellant and on reading its contents it is deducible that
Appellant is actively involved in CPI(M) party work. This letter is also
recovered and seized from the computer of Rona Wilson. It is argued
that this letter is typed on the letter head of CPI(M), Central
Committee and makes a reference to the AGM meet to be held in
October and 'Comrade Anand' having made a few good suggestions.
Save and except this there is nothing more in this letter which suggests
complicity of Appellant, provided taken at the highest that the word
'Comrade Anand' refers to Appellant, which is vehemently denied by
Appellant. Certainly on reading this letter it prima facie cannot be
presumed that Appellant is actively involved in the work of the CIP(M).
18.3. 3rd document:- Letter dated 23.12.2017 at page No. 4 of
NIA's compilation addressed by one 'R' to 'Comrade Prakash'. This
letters refers to the 'Anand' and it is argued by the NIA that, the name
'Anand' is none other than that of Appellant. The relevant portion of
the letter reads thus:
" In the last few days disturbing reports of encounters have
emerged from Gadchiroli. I spoke with Surendra and Arun to
constitute a FF team to gauge out the truth above this incident.
If possible try to confirm to your side or sent authorized
reports / books about these issues. From our side, we are
currently in planning stages to finalize the members from
Mumbai / Delhi. Shoma will speak to our friend in Nagpur who
may join the team. Anand has agreed to coordinate the whole
thing. Another prominent issue that we have been trying to
raise across the country is political murders of journalists."
18.3.1. It is submitted by the Respondent that contents of this letter
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
are serious and Appellant has taken the responsibility of the fact
finding team / committee in Gadchiroli. It is pertinent to note that
Appellant has been in Goa since 2016 and prior thereto he was
employed with IIT, Kharagpur. Appellant has vehemently denied
reference to 'Anand' in the said letter to himself. According to NIA
the sentence "Anand has agreed to co-ordinate the whole thing "
relating to fact finding team to guage the truth about fake encounters
in Gadchiroli is an act committed by Appellant which squarely falls
within the provisions of Section 15 of the UPA Act. Prima facie reading
of the letter to our mind does not seem so. There is no other material
to show nexus of Appellant to the alleged activity stated in the letter.
18.4. 4th document:- Letter dated 2 Jan 2018 at page No.5 of
NIA's compilation addressed by 'Comrade M' to 'Comrade Rona'. This
letter is addressed on 02.01.2018 i.e. the day after the Bhima
Koregaon incident (01.01.2018) which resulted in the death of one
person. This letter exalts the party cadres and calls upon them to
organize protests across BJP ruled states. This letter states that
'Comrade Shoma and Com. Surendra are authorized to provide funds
for future programmes and Bhima Koregaon Event has been very
effective and the unfortunate death of the youth must be exploited to
prepare future agitations and propaganda material. It calls upon to
explore the possibility of a new fact finding team to further highlight
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
the incident. It is also stated that friends in the Congress have assured
assistance for release of senior political prisoners including Com.
Kobad and Com. Sai'. That the name 'Anand' appears in this letter
also. The relevant portion reads thus:-
"........ please speak with brother Anand, inform him to send
reports through Comrade Manoj........."
18.4.1. It will not be out of place to take note of the
pamphlet/Invite, which is at page No. 59 of NIA's compilation. It is
seen that, there are more than 100 names mentioned as 'Nimantrak'
i.e. inviter. We find that, NIA has indicted role of Appellant and some
others as accused whose names appear in the pamphlet but not all
inviters who are facing similar allegations as that of Appellant, on the
basis of this document.
18.4.2. According to NIA this reference to Appellant proves his
involvement in the activities of CPI(M). Mr. Patil has emphasized that
'brother Anand' appearing in this letter addressed by 'Comrade M'
(Milind Teltumbde, the wanted accused and younger brother of
Appellant) clearly drives home the point that it is none other than
Appellant. This letter states that they must keep up the presence
through simultaneous programmes across many states, as it will
undoubtedly help to take down the Modi juggernaut in 2019.
18.4.3. Reading of this letter, prima facie we do not understood as
to how the Appellant and his role has been indicted in so far as the
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
present case is concerned. It is NIA's contention that Appellant has
being actively involved in the larger conspiracy of CPI(M) which
stands proven on reading this letter. However, we do not think so.
This letter has not been recovered and seized from Appellant.
Assuming at the highest that reference in this letter i.e. 'brother Anand'
is to the Appellant himself, prosecution needs to show the nexus and
link of Appellant with the present crime or any specific overt act.
There is no material save and except calling upon us to presume that
the word 'brother Anand' named in the present letter is a reference to
Appellant and as such he is directly involved with the activities of
CPI(M). It is to be noted here that, this letter refers to names of 17
persons in all, including "brother Anand". Some names are also with
their phone numbers. Not all of these 17 persons have been indicted
in the present crime. If NIA's argument is to be accepted, then the
statement / sentence referring to some of the said names appears to
be more serious. We are afraid that on mere prima facie reading of
this letter we can record such a finding.
18.5. 5th document:- The next document referred to and relied
upon by NIA is an "account statement" which is at page No.7 of the
compilation. This document is the fulcrum of NIA's case against
Appellant. We would therefore reproduce the entire account statement
as it is, as both sides have advanced submissions painstakingly on this
documents. It reads as under:-
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
" Accounts2k17
PARTY FUND RECEIVED IN LAST YEAR FROM C.C.
Surendra == R === 2.5 L from Milind
Shoma & Sudhir = R and D == 1 L from Surendra
Amit B == R == 1.5 for CPDR Canvasing
Anand T. === R === 90 T from Surendra (Though Milind)
Myself == R === 1.8 L From Com Manoj
Arun == R ==== 2 L from Com. Darsu
VV == R ==== 5 L from Com. G."
18.5.1. According to NIA the name Anand T. is a reference to
Appellant having received Rs.90,000/- from Surendra (Surendra
Gadling, Accused No.3) through Milind (wanted accused and younger
brother of Appellant). NIA has refereed to one sentence from the
earlier letter dated 02.01.2018 wherein it is mentioned that "Com.
Shoma and Com. Surendra are authorized to provide funds for future
programmes". This is relied by NIA to corroborate alleged receipt of
money by the Appellant from co-accused Surendra.
18.5.2. Mr. Patil has vehemently argued that this statement from the
earlier letter supports receipt of monies i.e. Rs.90,000/- by Anand T.
(Appellant) from Surendra (accused No.3) who was authorized to
provide funds for future programmes. On careful reading of the earlier
letter dated 02.01.2018 and the aforementioned statement of account
it is seen that there is a fallacy in the argument of NIA. Assuming that
Anand T. is the Appellant himself and he received Rs.90,000/- from
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
Surendra through Milind, firstly it cannot be linked to the statement in
the earlier letter dated 02.01.2018 since this account statement
pertains to the year 2016 and or 2017. The document has a heading;
viz; Party fund received in last year from C.C. Last year would
invariably mean the account of 2016 as the title of this document is
"Accounts2K17" which would mean Accounts for 2017". That apart
requiring us to presume that Anand T. is the Appellant would require
further corroboration and evidence. Prima facie it appears that, the
same has not been brought on record. This document is unsigned and
has been recovered from the laptop one of the co-accused. Hence, at
this prima facie stage we cannot presume that Anand T. i.e. the
Appellant received Rs.90,000/- from Surendra Gadling as argued by
NIA. We are afraid to state that we cannot agree with NIA's
contention.
18.6. In regard to the documents in paragraph 19.1 to 19.5, there
is one more reason as to why we cannot prima facie presume and
accept the case of NIA on reading these letters and the alleged account
statement. One such seized document at page No.149 of Appellant's
compilation is the list of Central Committee Members of CPI(M) group
alongwith their details and photographs for the year 2017. This
document is part of the record at page No.559 to 561 of Vol. II.
Appellant is not member of this C.C. However, at Serial No.4 one
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
Katkam Sudarshan @ Anand @ Mahesh @ Bhaskar appears as Central
Committee and Polit Bureau Member of CPI(M). Hence, reference to
the name 'Anand' can also be to this member as argued by Appellant.
Prima facie such a probability cannot be ruled out, unless there is
material shown to the contrary.
18.7. In this regards, we would like to draw reference to
paragraph No.27 in the case of Watali (1st supra). It reads thus:-
"27. For that, the totality of the material gathered by the
investigating agency and presented along with the report and
including the case diary, is required to be reckoned and not by
analysing individual pieces of evidence or circumstance. In any
case, the question of discarding the document at this stage, on
the ground of being inadmissible in evidence, is not
permissible. For, the issue of admissibility of the document /
evidence would be a matter for trial. The Court must look at
the contents of the document and take such document into
account as it is"
18.7.1. Paragraph No.24 of the judgment (reproduced earlier) states
that, at this stage Court is merely expected to record a finding on the
basis of broad probabilities regarding involvement of accused in the
commission of the stated offence or otherwise. Paragraph No.27 states
that no document can be discarded as being inadmissible and it would
be a matter for trial. However, Court must look into the contents of
the document and take such document into account as it is. Both sides
have vehemently pressed their respective submissions on the aforesaid
two paragraphs. NIA has submitted that the above documents be seen
as they are or as they stand whereas Appellant has submitted that the
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
documents relied upon by NIA need to be seen qua their contents. As
stated the aforesaid documents are the fulcrum of NIA's case. NIA has
submitted that prima facie reading of these documents reveal that
Appellant is an active member of CPI(M) and has been involved in
activities to further its ideology to overthrow the state. Hence,
Appellant has been rightly charged. However, looking at the contents
of the documents the aforesaid submission of NIA would fall in realm
of presumption according to us which may need further corroboration.
19. That apart, NIA has referred to three statements of witnesses
recorded in support of its case.
Statement dated 23.12.2018 is at page 56 of its compilation.
This statement is given by Kumar Sai @ Ashok @ Ram Mohammed
Singh Toppu @ Pahadsingh resident of District Raj Nandgaon,
Chhattisgarh. He has worked in CPI(M) as Division Committee
Secretary and has referred to role of various co-accused including that
of Appellant. He has stated that Appellant has been instrumental in
aligning the Dalit movement with the CPI(M). Save and except this
statement there is no other reference to Appellant in the statement.
We have perused this statement carefully. On reading this statement
at the highest it is seen that assuming for the sake of argument that
Appellant is associated with CPI(M) then also it would attract the
provisions of Sections 38 and 39 and not Section 15 of the UAP Act.
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
This witness does not say that he has seen Appellant at any point of
time with any CPI(M) member.
20. The second statement is at page 140 of the compilation of
NIA. This is by KW3 under Section 164 of Cr.P.C. on 17.08.2020. He
has deposed that in 2018 he accompanied Milind Teltumbde to Bhopal
and heard him talk that he was supposed to meet his elder brother i.e.
Appellant and from his mannerisms he gathered that, in the first
instance he was unable to meet Appellant but on the second instance
he gathered that he had met the Appellant. He has deposed that on
both occasions Milind Teltumbde had left him alone at some
acquaintance's place and had gone alone with his sister Nandini
Borkar to meet Appellant. Prima facie, after bare reading of this
statement, it clearly reveals that this witness has not specifically seen
the Appellant having meeting his brother Milind. Further he states
that he only gathered this information from Milind Teltumbde's
mannerisms. That he was not a witness to any meetings of Appellant
or had seen him. Hence prima facie this statement of witnesses qua
the Appellant falls within the realm of hearsay evidence.
21. The next statement referred to and relied upon by NIA is at
page No.156 of compilation of KW-4 recorded on 25.08.2020 under
Section 164 of Cr.P.C. In this statement KW-4 has stated that Anand
Teltumbde has inspired Milind Teltumbde for joining CPI(M). That
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
Milind Teltumbde used to visit various cities from January to June
every year at Nagpur, Pune, Chandrapur, Bhopal, Indore, Katni,
Amarkantak, Mandala, Dindori, Shahdol etc. to meet Appellant for
taking his guidance in advancing CPI(M)'s movement in jungle and
urban areas. That Appellant used to attend International Conferences
and under the guise of academic visits he visited Philippines, Peru,
Turkey and other countries and brought Maoist literature and videos
to be shown to CPI(M) members during their training. This is the
reference to the Appellant in the statement. Appellant has vehemently
denied having visited Philippines, Peru and Turkey. Appellant has
stated that his passport can be verified for that matter. NIA has not
raised any grievance on this submission. In fact during the course of
submissions, we asked NIA to show us the material brought by
Appellant from abroad in the pen-drive and memory card i.e. the
literature material and videos relating to Maoist ideology, tactics and
weapons used by them, attacks and planning of sudden attacks made
by them and expansion and recruitment of members. Mr. Patil on
taking instructions submitted that such material is not part of the
Chargesheet against Appellant nor do they have any such material
with them. He submitted that according to NIA such material was
given by Appellant to his brother Milind Teltumbde for onward dis-
semination to CPI(M) cadres and NIA has not laid its hand on the
same until now.
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
22. There is one more aspect which needs to be highlighted at
this prima facie stage. Assuming at the highest that NIA's case is
accepted, then also prima facie analysis of the above material on
record by NIA at this stage indicates that Appellant is a member of the
banned CPI(M) and can at the most the provisions of Sections 13, 38
and Section 39 of the UAP Act are therefore attracted. It is seen that
the maximum punishment prescribed under the aforesaid provisions is
imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years (Section 13)
and for a term not extending 10 years or with fine or both. However,
in juxtaposition with the aforesaid provisions punishment of
conspiracy under Section 18 refers to a punishment which may extend
to imprisonment for life and is also liable to fine. It is therefore be
important for us to refer to the charging Section 18 to understand the
nuance of conspiracy as contemplated by the UAP Act. Section 18 of
the UAP Act reads thus:-
"18. Punishment for conspiracy, etc.-- Whoever conspires or
attempts to commit, or advocates, abets, advises or [incites,
directs or knowingly facilitates] the commission of, a terrorist
act or any act preparatory to the commission of a terrorist act,
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall
not be less than five years but which may extend to
imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine."
22.1. It is seen that Section 18 refers to a terrorist act or any act
preparatory to the commission of a terrorist act. It is therefore
pertinent to note Section 15 which defines "Terrorist Act". Section 15
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
reads thus: -
"15. Terrorist Act.
[1] Whoever does any act with intent to threaten or likely to
threaten the unity, integrity, security [economic security] or
sovereignty of India or with intent to strike terror or likely to
strike terror in the people or any section of the people in India
or in any foreign country,
(a) by using bombs, dynamite or other explosive substances
or inflammable substances or firearms or other lethal weapons
or poisonous or noxious gases or other chemicals or by any
other substances (whether biological radioactive, nuclear or
otherwise) of a hazardous nature or by any other means of
whatever nature to cause or likely to cause-
(i) death of, or injuries to, any person or persons; or
(ii) loss of, or damage to, or destruction of, property; or
(iii) disruption of any supplies or services essential to the life
of the community in India or in any foreign country; or
[(iiia) damage to, the monetary stability of India by way of
production or smuggling or circulation of high quality
counterfeit Indian paper currency, coin or of any other
material; or]
(iv) damage or destruction of any property in India or in a
foreign country used or intended to be used for the defence of
India or in connection with any other purposes of the
Government of India, any State Government or any of their
agencies; or
(b) overawes by means of criminal force or the show of
criminal force or attempts to do so or causes death of any
public functionary or attempts to cause death of any public
functionary; or
(c) detains, kidnaps or abducts any person and threatens to
kill or injure such person or does any other act in order to
compel the Government of India, any State Government or the
Government of a foreign country or [an international or inter-
governmental organisation of any other person to do or abstain
from doing any act; or] commits a terrorist act."
22.2. Section 20 of the UPA Act in this regards pertains to
punishment for the terrorist Act and is relevant: Section 20 of the UAP
Act reads thus:-
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
" 20. Punishment for being member of terrorist gang or
organisation.-
Any person who is a member of a terrorist gang or a terrorist
organisation, which is involved in terrorist act, shall be
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to
imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine."
22.2.1. Section 20 cannot be interpreted to mean that merely been a
member of a terrorist gang would entail such a member for the above
punishment. What is important is the terrorist act and what is
required for the Court to see is the material before the Court to show
that such a person has been involved in or has indulged in a terrorist
act. Terrorist act is very widely defined under Section 15. In the
present case, seizure of the incriminating material as alluded to
hereinabove does not in any manner prima facie leads to draw an
inferance that, Appellant has committed or indulged in a 'terrorist act'
as contemplated under Section 15 of the UAP Act.
22.3. Punishment for committing terrorist act is prescribed under
Section 16 which is punishable with death or imprisonment for life in
the event of death of any person due to such act or upto imprisonment
for life in any other case. In the present case the offence and crime
related to the Bhima Koregaon incident resulted in the death of one
person. On reading the draft charges and the chargesheet qua the
Appellant, we prima facie find that NIA has not investigated or made
any investigation in respect of this aspect. However, it is their case
that the banned terrorist organization CPI(M) used the Elgar Parishad
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
Program as a platform to further its larger conspiracy and Appellant
being an active member of CPI(M) and being associated with its
activities has participated in the larger conspiracy of CPI(M) and
therefore does not deserve to be enlarged on bail. However, on prima
facie reading of the above documents and statements referred to and
relied upon by NIA qua the Appellant, we are afraid to state that to
we do not agree with the contention of NIA. On prima facie
appreciating the material on record as well as the statements of three
key witness against Appellant, we do not think that provisions of
Sections 16 and 18 can be invoked at this stage against Appellant for
want of better proof and evidence. On reading the chargesheet and
the material placed before us, prima facie it cannot be inferred that
Appellant has involved himself in a 'terrorist act'.
23. It is submitted by NIA that the yardstick and parameters
made applicable in the case of Hany Babu (2nd supra) and Jyoti Jagtap
(3rd supra) while rejecting bail for these co-accused be applied in the
case of the Appellant. Mr. Patil has taken us through both the
aforesaid judgments at length. He has emphasized on paragraph
Nos.49, 52, 53 and 54 of the judgment in the case of Hany Babu and
contended that, the role of Appellant cannot be viewed differently
than the role of Hany Babu. In fact he contended that since Appellant
is a person with intellectual ideology, his case stands on a much higher
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
footing than Hany Babu's case and therefore he cannot be enlarged on
bail. We respectfully disagree with this proposition in view of the fact
that what weighed with the Court in indictment of Hany Babu and
rejection of his Bail Application is the material produced in paragraph
Nos.21 and 22 of the said judgment. On reading Hany Babu's
judgment, it is seen that 64 documents were seized from the custody
of Hany Babu which explained his links with CPI(M), his precise role
and network. Further 14 documents were seized from other co-
accused which also referred to his role. Such is not the case herein. As
alluded to herein above, there are 5 documents (letters) and 3 key
witness statements which have been pressed against the Appellant by
NIA. We have prima facie analysed the said material and recorded our
prima facie findings on the basis of broad probabilities.
Next Mr. Patil has submitted that in view of the findings
returned by this Court i.e. by this Bench in the case of Jyoti Jagtap (3rd
supra) it is imperative that the role of Appellant be also viewed in the
same manner as being an active member of CPI(M). We are once
again afraid to state that the considerations which weighed with us
while delivering the judgment in the case of Jyoti Jagtap (3rd supra)
were entirely different. For the sake of brevity, we do not wish to
repeat and reiterate those considerations. Our judgment speaks for
itself. We do not agree with the submissions of NIA that Appellant's
case is identical to the case of Jyoti Jagtap (3rd supra) and the present
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
Appeal deserves to be dismissed.
24. This position of law is reiterated by the Supreme Court in
the case of Arup Bhuyan (5th supra) and in an unreported Order of the
learned Single Judge of this Court in Criminal Bail Application No.488
of 2018 passed on 25.02.2019 (18th supra) and another unreported
Order passed in Criminal Bail Application No.3456 of 2019 passed on
05.05.2021 by another learned Single Judge of this Court (19th supra).
25. In view of the above discussion and findings, we are of the
prima facie opinion that on the basis of material placed before us by
NIA which has been looked into by us, it cannot be concluded that
Appellant has indulged into a terrorist act. The material placed on
record prima facie does not inspire confidence to bring the Appellant's
act as alleged for the punishment prescribed under Sections 16, 18
and 20 of the UAP Act as they read.
26. In view of the above discussion and findings and considering
the fact that Appellant has no criminal antecedents and he having
being behind bars for more than two and half years, in our opinion, a
case for grant of bail has been made out.
27. Hence, the following Order:-
ORDER
(i) The impugned Order dated 12.07.2021 passed by the
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
Special Judge, Greater Bombay below Exh.377 in
Special Case No.414 of 2020 alongwith Special Case
No.871 of 2020 is quashed and set aside;
(ii) Appellant be released on bail in Special Case No.414
alongwith Special Case No.871 of 2020 arising out of
RC-01/2020/NIA/MUM under Sections 120B, 115,
121, 121A, 124A, 153, 201, 505(1)(B) read with 34 of
IPC and Sections 13, 16, 17, 18, 18B, 20, 38 and 39 of
the UAP Act on his executing PR bond of Rs.1,00,000/-
with one or more solvent local sureties in the like
amount;
(iii) Appellant shall not tamper with the evidence of
prosecution nor influence the prosecution witnesses;
(iv) Before his actual release from jail Appellant shall
furnish his contact numbers, both-mobile and landline
and permanent residential address to the Investigating
Officer and the learned Special Court before which the
case of Appellant is pending;
(v) Appellant shall attend the concerned police station
where he resides, initially for a period of one year, once
in a fortnight i.e. on every 1st and 16th of each English
Calendar month and thereafter on every first Monday
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
of the month between 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon till
conclusion of trial;
(vi) Appellant shall not leave the jurisdiction of State of Goa
and if he desires to travel within India he shall seek
prior leave and permission of the Trial Court;
(vii) Appellant shall deposit his passport held by him before
his actual release from jail, with the designated Special
Court.
28. Criminal Appeal is accordingly allowed in the aforesaid
terms.
[ MILIND N. JADHAV, J. ] [ A.S. GADKARI, J.]
29. At this stage, Mr. Desai, learned senior Advocate appearing
for the Appellant submitted that, though in the cause title of the
present Petition, address of the Appellant has been mentioned as
residing at Goa Institute of Management, Sanquelim, Goa - 403 505,
due to efflux of time, the contract of the Appellant with the said
Institute has come to an end and as of today, the residential address of
Appellant is at 129, 'Rajgruha', Hindu Colony, Khareghat Road, Dadar,
Mumbai-400 014.
30. In view thereof, the condition stipulated in paragraph No.
Cri Appeal 676 of 2021.doc
27(vi) above is modified and Appellant is directed not to leave the
jurisdiction of this Court without prior permission from the Special
Designated Court/ Trial Court, if he desires to travel within India.
31. Appellant is permitted to furnish cash bail for a period of 8
weeks from today and during the said period, Appellant shall comply
with the condition of furnishing solvent local sureties as stipulated in
paragraph No. 27(ii).
32. After pronouncement of the present Judgment, Mr. Patil,
learned Special PP appearing for the NIA requested this Court for stay
of its operation and implementation to enable NIA to challenge it
before the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Though opposed by the learned
Senior Advocate for Appellant, considering the fact that Appellant is
in jail for more than two and half years, effect of present Judgment
and Order granting bail to the Appellant will remain stayed for a
period of one week from today.
[ MILIND N. JADHAV, J. ] [ A.S. GADKARI, J.]
Digitally signed
by RAVINDRA
RAVINDRA MOHAN
AMBERKAR
MOHAN Date:
AMBERKAR 2022.11.18
18:08:59
+0530
