Bhima Koregaon violence: Court grants three-month extension to Pune Police to file charge sheet

The Pune Sessions Court on Sunday granted a 90-day extension to the police for filling a charge sheet against five activists, who were arrested in June over their alleged role in Bhima Koregaon violence. Those arrested were - Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, Sudhir Dhawale and Rona Wilson.

“Pune Sessions Court has granted a 90-day extension to Pune Police to file charge sheet in a case registered against five accused Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, Sudhir Dhawale and Rona Wilson,” the news agency ANI reported.

Pune Sessions Court has granted a 90 day extension to Pune Police to file chargesheet in a case registered against five accused Surendra Gadling, Shoma Sen, Mahesh Raut, Sudhir Dhawale and Rona Wilson. #BhimaKoregaon

— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2018

The order came a day after Pune police moved the court seeking extension for filing charge sheet against the five detained activists, citing fresh arrests in the case.

Read | Bhima Koregaon violence: Left parties to stage protest at Jantar Mantar against activists' arrest

"The period of their judicial custody of 90 days is coming to an end on September 3 and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the period can be extended up to 180 days in case the investigation is not completed," said Shivaji Pawar, the assistant commissioner of police, who is investigating the case.

Besides that, the court will hear the bail applications of accused Surendra Gadling and Shoma Sen on September 6 in connection to the matter. With Yerwada Jail authority moved an application mentioning overcrowding and security issues in the prison, the court has also listed the matter for hearing on September 6.

On August 28, the Pune police in another coordinated raid across India arrested five right activists Sudha Bhardwaj, P Varavara Rao, Gautam Navlakha, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves. All of the detained activists are currently kept under in-house arrest following a Supreme Court order on August 29.

Read | Bhima Koregaon Violence: Raids at homes of prominent activists across India; several held

The police team also searched the residence of Father Stan Swamy in Ranchi but could not arrest him due to lack of evidence.

The latest raids, which were carried out in Mumbai, Ranchi, Hyderabad, Faridabad, Delhi and Thane also discovered a shocking letter that describes a chilling plot to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the lines of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. This was the second such operation in the last three months.