The Bombay High Court on Wednesday (December 17, 2025) permitted human rights activist Gautam Navlakha, an accused in the Elgar Parishad–Maoist links case, to shift from Mumbai to his residence in Delhi until the trial concludes.
The court, however, directed that he must attend proceedings before the special NIA court in Mumbai whenever required.
A Division Bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Shyam Chandak laid down conditions for the move, including weekly appearance at a local police station in Delhi every Saturday, surrendering his passport, and seeking prior permission from the special court before leaving Delhi.
“The applicant shall remain present before the special court when charges are framed and thereafter attend all hearings unless exempted,” the Bench said.
Mr. Navlakha’s counsel, Yug Chaudhary, urged the court to relax the requirement of weekly reporting to once a month, pointing out that the current practice is monthly. The judges declined, observing that while Navlakha is entitled to liberty, “he is not a free man yet.”
