A local court in Maharashtra on Monday denied regular bail to activist Gautam Navlakha, arrested in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence case of 2018.

The human rights activist was arrested for allegedly giving provocative speeches during the Elgar Parishad conference on December 31, 2017, leading to violence on January 1, 2018.

The former secretary of People’s Union for Democratic Rights was arrested in August, 2018, but was initially placed under house arrest.

Following the Supreme Court order, he was moved to Taloja Central Prison in Maharashtra in April, 2020.

The Special NIA judge had reserved order on Navlakha’s bail plea in August.

His petition seeking transfer from Taloja Prison and placed under house arrest is pending before the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear the bail application of Bhima Koregaon accused Varavara Rao on July 11.

Senior Advocate Anand Grover mentioned the matter before the Vacation bench of the Apex Court, stating that Rao was 82-year-old and needed bail on medical grounds.

The top court of the country decided to hear the matter on re-opening of Courts on July 11.

The Bombay High Court had, on December 1, 2020, rejected the bail plea of the renowned poet and activist, who was arrested under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on August 28, 2018.

Police had accused Rao, along with other activists, of delivering provocative speeches during the Elgar Parishad conference on December 31, 2017 in Pune, leading to violence at Bhima Koregaon village on January 1, 2018, which claimed one life and left several injured.