EW DELHI -- The Supreme Court on Monday said that it will examine two days later whether there is evidence supporting the arrest of five rights activists in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra extended till 19 September the house arrest of the five activists—Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Sudha Bharadwaj and Gautam Navlakha—at their respective homes.
"Every criminal investigation is based on allegations and we have to see whether there is some material," the bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud said.
The bench said if there were some grave lapses, then it may consider prayers such as an investigation by an SIT in the case.
The bench then fixed the case of Thapar and others for the final hearing.
Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Maharashtra government, said the court should make it clear that after the adjudication from the apex court, the arrested accused cannot avail remedies simultaneously on similar issues at other judicial forum.
The Maharashtra police had arrested the rights activists on 28 August in connection with an FIR lodged following a conclave—'Elgaar Parishad'—held on 31 December last year that had later triggered violence at Bhima Koregaon.