Can't allow phone to Navlakha: Maha govt to HC

One-liner: The Maharashtra govt told the Bombay HC on Wednesday that it could not allow activist Gautam Navlakha to make phone calls from prison since he was facing charges of terrorism.

Accused in Elgar case: Navlakha is an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case.

Imposing prohibition: The state's counsel Sangeeta Shinde placed before a bench a resolution that the Maharashtra govt had issued on March 25 this year imposing such prohibition. 

Coin box facility: As per the resolution signed by the state Inspector General of Police, a coin box facility for inmates to make phone calls is available in prisons.

Who can access: However, the resolution lists 10 categories of undertrials and convicts that can't be granted access to the coin box facility. 

• The first of these 10 categories is of those undertrials who face charges of terrorism or conspiring against the nation

Banned terrorist organisation: As per the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) charge sheet filed in the Elgar Parishad case, Navlakha and his co-accused were part of a banned terrorist organisation.

Conspired to overthrow Union govt: The charge sheet also claims that Navlakha and his co-accused conspired to overthrow the Union govt.

Hearing on Aug 2: The HC will hear the matter further on August 2. 

Violence triggered: The case relates to inflammatory speeches delivered at the Elgar Parishad conclave, held in Pune on Dec 31, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial.

Source: PTI