Varavara Rao granted bail on medical grounds, family files another petition

The Supreme Court granted bail to renowned Telugu Poet, Journalist, and Lecturer P Varavara Rao (84) on medical grounds on Wednesday. Mr. Rao has been in judicial custody since 2018, in the Bhima Koregaon case of alleged attempt to murder Prime Minister Modi.

According to LiveLaw, a bench comprising Justices UU Lalit, Aniruddha Bose, and Sudhanshu Dhulia passed the order in the Special Leave Petition filed by Rao challenging the Bombay High Court's refusal to grant him permanent bail on medical grounds.

Varavara Rao (84) with several health issues, hails from Hyderabad.

Varavara Rao has been booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in the Bhima Koregoan case for allegedly having links with Maoist organizations. Rao was arrested in the case four years ago on August 28, 2018. He was taken to Taloja jail in Mumbai in November 2018. In 2020, he was shifted to the hospital when his medical conditions got aggravated. In February 2021, he was allowed 6-months of medical bail by the High Court.

The medical bail was extended from time to time. However, on April 13 this year, the High Court refused to grant him permanent bail and extended the medical bail temporarily by three more months. He was asked to surrender in jail after a period of three months.

Live Law reported that the bench also noted that trial is yet to begin in the case and even charges have not been framed although a charge sheet has been filed.

Rao should not leave the area of Greater Mumbai without express permission from the Special NIA Court at Mumbai.

The bench clarified that the bail has been granted solely on medical grounds and shall not be taken as a reflection on the merits of the matter.

It is to note that, Before he was taken into judicial custody, Varavara Rao was suffering from multiple diseases like piles, thyroid issues, Prostate gland enlargement, Coronary artillery issues, acidity and migraine synesis, etc.

While in prison, he developed more complications. It is reported that Varavara Rao fell ill on 29th May 2020 and shifted to JJ Hospital from Taloja jail in Maharashtra, which shocked his near and dear. The family members were in darkness about his ill-health until the JJ Hospital released a bulletin that his vitals are normally functional.

Family filed another petition to move Rao to Hyderabad

Varavara Rao's family have filed another petition before the Supreme Court with a prayer to permit him to move to Hyderabad.

Speaking to NewsMeter, Mr. VenuGopal Veekshanam- brother-in-law of Mr. Rao said, "We welcome the apex court's decision. Mr. Rao has been out on bail since March 2021 granted by the Bombay High court for a period of 6 months and now the SC has granted bail with no time restrictions. But, we have also filed another petition seeking modification of the condition so that he can be in Hyderabad with his family. The condition of the Bombay HC was to restrict him to Mumbai".

He further added, " Our petition explains how expensive it is for him and the family to rent a place out in Mumbai since both (Rao Couple) are senior citizens and are surviving on pensions. The pension that he received does not even cover half of his expenses in

Mumbai. Whereas in Hyderabad, he has his own house and family. The couple need medical assistance and family support".

Some of the conditions laid down by the Supreme Court is, Mr Rao is not allowed to speak to the press, not to meet witnesses and accused and not to indulge in activities in which he has been charged and not to leave the trial court jurisdiction.

Trial will take at least 10 years: Rao's lawyer

According to LiveLaw, Senior Advocate Anand Grover, appearing for Rao, submitted that he has various underlying comorbidities including Parkinson's disease. When the bench asked about the stage of the trial, Grover replied that it has not commenced and not even charges have been framed.

"The trial will take at least 10 years even if it starts today and there are 16 accused", Grover submitted.