The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has urged the Bombay High Court to reject Dalit rights activist Anand Teltumbde’s request to travel abroad, citing security concerns. According to the NIA, Teltumbde is an active member of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) and has been involved in activities that threaten India's sovereignty and security.
In an affidavit submitted through Pravin Ingawale, Superintendent of Police, NIA, Mumbai, the agency contends that Teltumbde has misused his public image as an academician and social activist to further the objectives of a banned organization.
"The present applicant, being an active member of the CPI (M), has used his false public image to continue with his nefarious activities under the guise of an academician, author, and mass leader of the oppressed class,"
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The agency further alleges that Teltumbde has had links with other accused individuals in the Bhima Koregaon case, including Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Shoma Sen, Varavara Rao, Gautam Navlakha, Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, Stan Swamy, and Hany Babu. The NIA asserts that his interactions with these individuals were part of a larger conspiracy.
The affidavit also claims that Teltumbde has traveled to foreign countries, including the Philippines, Peru, and Turkey, under the pretext of academic visits. However, the agency alleges that during these trips, he collected Maoist literature and materials that could be used for strategic planning and attacks.
Teltumbde has approached the Bombay High Court after receiving invitations from multiple international universities, including the University of Amsterdam and Nottingham Trent University. According to his plea, he intends to travel to Amsterdam on April 1, followed by the United Kingdom on May 1, and return to India on May 21. His engagements include delivering lectures, conducting masterclasses, and advising doctoral candidates.
Despite his international recognition in academic circles, the NIA questions the necessity of his in-person presence at these events. "The alleged necessity of the applicant to deliver lectures in person is not required, as these can alternatively be conducted online with monitoring by the NIA," "There is a likelihood of him absconding and taking shelter in foreign countries to avoid trial and further the unlawful objectives of CPI (M),".
Additionally, the NIA raises concerns about the possibility of Teltumbde using this opportunity to evade judicial proceedings in India.
The agency further cites past instances where accused individuals in similar cases have fled abroad and sought asylum, complicating their extradition for legal proceedings. The affidavit also highlights Teltumbde’s alleged efforts as General Secretary of the Committee for the Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR) to secure the release of CPI (M) members, including Murugan and GN Saibaba, who were convicted in separate cases.
"The role of the appellant in connection with the Bhima Koregaon programme was appreciated by the Central Committee of CPI (M), and there is substantial evidence that he and his co-accused were directed to continue their activities,"
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On Thursday, during the court proceedings, a division bench led by Justice Ajay Gadkari directed that Teltumbde’s application be placed before the appropriate court. The NIA, represented by special counsel Sandesh Patil and advocate Chintan Shah, requested that the application be heard by the same bench that granted bail to Teltumbde in November 2022.
