Court allows Ekbote to speak to media and address rallies

Pune: The District Court on Monday granted relief to Samast Hindu Aghadi leader Milind Ekbote, an accused in Koregaon Bhima violence case, from attending the police station every week. He has also been allowed to hold rallies and speak with the media.

Ekbote was arrested on March 14, 2018, by Pune Rural Police, after the Supreme Court rejected his anticipatory bail petition. However, the court later released him on bail on April 4, 2018, on conditions that he will report to the Shikrapur police station every Monday, will not put pressure on the witnesses, submit his passport to the police, won’t talk with the media and will not address any public rally.

Ekbote was arrested for offences under the SC / ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act after the complaint filed by a Dalit woman, Anita Savale. Another Hindutva leader Sambhaji Bhide is co-accused in the FIR. Bhide was never arrested due to lack of evidence. Later he was arrested in another case related to the violence there.
 
Assistant Police Inspector Nitin Shivaji Lakade, who was injured during January 1, 2018, violence lodged the complaint. Ekbote was released in this case on April 19. About four months ago, Ekbote filed an application before the court through lawyers SK Jain and Amol Dange, to remove the ban on conditions regarding attendance in the police station and restrictions on speaking in public rallies and press conferences.

Additional Sessions Judge AN Sirsikar granted relief to Ekbote on Monday. However, the court ordered Ekbote to be present immediately upon being summoned by the investigating officer.