DNA EXCLUSIVE: Maharashtra cops fatten case against activists arrested for Naxal links

Maharashtra government, in its affidavit, will seek police custody on September 6, as directed by the apex court for the five people arrested recently for alleged Naxal links, i.e Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Pereira.

The submission will rely on the direct evidence found in the laptops, CDs, letters and emails seized from the activists. This material will help establish their plan to build up a cadre, strengthen arms and unseat the government with a Rajiv Gandhi-like incident, says a member of the government's legal team.

The submission will explain how the five activists were involved in facilitating recruitment, procurement of arms, distribution of funds and arrangement of logistics. It will also explain in detail how some accused had links with mining contractors to procure nitrate powder and other materials. "The affidavit will show the degree of reliability of incremental material," he added.

Moreover, it will also bring to the fore how more students were to be mobilised to put the state at a disadvantage while initiating action against them.

FROM DALITS TO NAXALS

Dec 31, 2017 Over 250 groups of different ideologies hold Elgaar Parishad in Pune to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Battle of Koregaon where Britsh East India Company soldiers, most of them Mahars (a  socially oppressed caste in Maharashtra) defeated the Peshwa Army. Maharashtra’s Dalits visit the victory memorial at Bhima- Koregaon on Jan 1 every year. Over 35,000 people participate in Elgaar Parishad.

Jan 1, 2018 Stones are pelted at the visitors, vehicles are smashed. A youth is killed in the ensuing violence. 

Jan 2, 2018 Dalit factions call for a bandh and accuse Sambhaji alias Manohar Bhide (a Hindutva leader from Sangli) and his supporters, including Milind Ekbote, of inciting the violence targeted at Dalits. An FIR is filed against Bhide, Ekbote and others.

Jan 8, 2018 Tushar Damgude, Bhide’s supporter, files another FIR claiming leaders such as Jignesh Mevani and Umar Khalid gave provocative speeches at Elgaar Parishad that spread anger against the upper castes.

Mar 14, 2018 Ekbote is arrested after a prolonged legal battle. Bhide is yet to be arrested.

Apr 18, 2018 Homes of Sudhir Gadling, Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale (an organiser of Elgaar Parishad), Jyoti Jagtap, Harshali Potdar are raided. Each is linked to Kabir Kala Manch, accused of having Naxal links. 

Apr 20, 2018 Ekbote is released on bail.

June 7, 2018 Cops arrest Gadling, Wilson, Dhawale, Shoma Sen and Mahesh Raut. Prosecutor Ujjwala Pawar tells Pune court that a letter found in Wilson’s Delhi flat mentions a Rajiv Gandhi-like plot to assassinate PM Narendra Modi. Pawar says the letter also mentions the requirement of Rs 8 crore to purchase M-4 rifles and four lakh rounds.
June 22, 2018  Accused are granted judicial custody but they refuse to apply for bail.

Aug 28, 2018 In a countrywide operation, five ‘activists’ – Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Pereira, Varavara Rao and Gautam Navlakha are picked by teams aided by Pune police. Cops allege they are part of an anti-fascist front that wants to pull down a government elected by democratic process.

Aug 29, 2018 SC places the Reds under house arrest