SC junks activist Akhil Gogoi’s bail plea in Anti-CAA protests case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the bail petition of Akhil Gogoi, currently undergoing imprisonment for his alleged role in violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Assam.

A three-Judge bench of Justices NV Ramana, Surya Kant and Aniruddha Bose denied the bail, pointing out the allegations against him lodged by National Investigation Agency (NIA).

“We will not consider the petition at this stage. Maybe later, you can file an application,” the bench asserted.

Gogoi, leader of Krishak Mukti Sangram Parishad (KMSS) and Raijor Dal, a peasants’ rights group has challenged the January 7 order of the Gauhati High Court rejecting his bail plea.

His counsel Jaideep Gupta, argued that large scale agitation had taken place in protest for CAA. “It’s not related to terrorism at all”, Gupta pleaded.

However, the Apex Court turned down the bail plea.

“Let the trial proceed. Courts have started functioning now,” the bench observed.

He was lodged in Gauhati High Court since his arrest in December 2019, as a preventive measure during the peak of CAA protests in Assam.

Subsequently, the NIA took over the case. The probe agency has booked Gogoi under sedition charges and those related to terrorism under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). (UNI)