In a significant development concerning the Bhima Koregaon case, the Bombay High Court has called for the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to provide a formal response to activist-poet Varavara Rao’s plea for permission to permanently move from Mumbai to Hyderabad. This request comes as Rao, currently out on bail, faces challenges related to his age, health, and financial burdens in Mumbai.

Justice AS Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata, presiding over a division bench, directed the NIA to submit its reply within two weeks. The court’s decision follows a prior dismissal from a special NIA court in Mumbai, which rejected Rao’s application to relocate on March 16. The 85-year-old activist, whose health has been of concern, has highlighted the difficulties he encounters living in Mumbai, particularly in light of rising living expenses.

In his petition, Rao elaborated on his circumstances, stating that he and his spouse, aged 76, require the proximity of family support, which they have in Hyderabad. He owns a home there and has relatives who can assist them both. The financial strain is particularly pronounced: Rao reported that his monthly expenses in Mumbai exceed ₹77,000, while his pension income is around ₹50,000. This disparity adds to the urgency of his request for relocation.

Rao was arrested in August 2018 at his residence in Hyderabad and granted medical bail by the Supreme Court in August 2022. However, his bail conditions restrict him from traveling outside the trial court’s jurisdiction without prior approval. A subsequent attempt to modify these bail conditions in September was declined by the Supreme Court, leaving him in a precarious situation.

The Bhima Koregaon case has been controversial, with various activists, including Rao, being accused of inciting violence during the 2018 Elgar Parishad event. The case has garnered widespread attention and criticism, with many arguing that the arrests are politically motivated. As the Bombay High Court prepares to hear Rao’s plea, the outcome may set a significant precedent for similar cases and the rights of individuals designated as under trial.