Three activists oppose NIA bid to cancel their bail over press club event
Poet-activist Varavara Rao, activist Vernon Gonsalves, and lawyer Arun Ferreira have challenged the National Investigation Agency's attempt to revoke their bail following their attendance at a press club gathering.
Three prominent activists have moved to block the National Investigation Agency's attempt to cancel their bail, filing separate legal responses before a special court in Mumbai on Tuesday. The accused — poet-activist Varavara Rao, activist Vernon Gonsalves, and activist-lawyer Arun Ferreira — each submitted written replies opposing the NIA's applications to revoke their bail conditions.
Special Judge Chakor S Baviskar received all three responses and formally recorded them in court proceedings. The judge scheduled the next hearing for July 10, when arguments on both sides will be heard. The NIA had sought cancellation of bail for the three men, citing their participation at a press club event as violation of bail conditions.
The case centers on whether the accused's attendance at the public gathering breached the terms of their existing bail agreements. The NIA contends that their participation in the event violated restrictions imposed when bail was originally granted. However, the three activists argue through their legal representatives that their actions do not constitute a breach of bail conditions.
Varavara Rao, known for his work in poetry and social activism, Vernon Gonsalves, a long-time human rights activist, and Arun Ferreira, who combines legal practice with activism, are all facing charges in proceedings handled by the special NIA court. This particular bail cancellation application stems from their attendance at what the agency views as a prohibited gathering.
The matter has drawn attention from civil liberties advocates who view bail conditions restricting public appearances as potentially limiting the right to free expression and assembly. The activists' legal team appears prepared to defend their clients' right to participate in public events as consistent with constitutional protections.
With the hearing set for mid-July, the special court will have to weigh arguments from both the prosecution and defense to determine whether the press club attendance warrants cancellation of bail or whether the accused's actions fall within permissible bounds of their bail terms.
