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Bhima Koregaon Violence accused Anand Teltumde has approached the Bombay High Court seeking discharge in the Bhima Koregaon Violence case.

The case was listed before the division bench of the high court comprising Justice Sarang Kotval and Justice MS Modak.

Teltumde had filed an appeal against the order of Sessions Court rejecting his plea seeking discharge in the Bhima Koregaon Violence case.

When the matter came up for hearing today, Justice Kotval recused himself from hearing the petition and said “In this matter, one of us, had decided three bail applications wherein various provisions of law were discussed. Therefore, propriety demands that the matter be heard on all aspects by a different bench,” Justice Kotval said.

Anand Teltumde was booked under Sections 120-B, 115, 121, 121-A, 124-A, 153, 201, 505(1)(b) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and under Sections 13, 16, 17, 18, 18B, 20, 38 and 39 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and was arrested along with 16 other accused in the case.

The said event was organized to celebrate the historic battle of Bhima Koregaon which took place on 1st January 2018 wherein allegedly provocative speeches were given by the speaker which led to large-scale violence and one youth lost his life.

It was alleged that the banned terrorist organization Communist Party of India (Maoist) had an organizational role to play in arranging the said program. Further, it was alleged that CPI(M) wanted to infiltrate, inculcate and permeate its ideology amongst the masses, mostly impoverished classes and misguide them towards violent unconstitutional activities.

A division bench of the high court comprising Justice AS Gadkari and Justice Milind Jadhav granted bail to Dr. Anand Teltumde in November 2022.