Bhima Koregaon: Gautam Navlakha was introduced to Pakistan ISI General for recruitment, NIA tells Bombay High Court

Activist Gautam Navlakha was introduced to a Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) General for his recruitment, which shows his nexus to the organisation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) told the Bombay High Court on Tuesday..In its affidavit opposing the bail plea filed by Navlakha in the Bhima Koregaon case of 2018, the NIA stated that the activist delivered speeches at different forums on issues related to the Kashmir separatist movement and the Maoist movement. According to the agency, documents seized from Navlakha were connected to the formation of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), indicating his deep involvement in the activities of the banned outfit. “Navlakha had visited USA thrice to address ‘Kashmiri American Council’ Conference organised by Ghulam Nabi Fai, who was arrested by the FBI in July 2011 for accepting funds from ISI and Pakistan government. Navlakha had written a letter to the judge of US court trying the case for clemency (granting pardon). Navlakha was introduced to a Pakistan ISI General for his recruitment by Fai on the direction of ISI showing his nexus and complicity with Fai and ISI,” the affidavit said..The NIA further claimed that Navlakha was attempting to trivialise the acts done by him, which were serious in nature. “Navlakha is trying to portray his criminal activities as work for human rights by the fact remains that there should be a clear distinction between preaching and committing offence itself,” the affidavit stated. Moreover, it was claimed that the acts committed by Navlakha had a direct impact on the unity, integrity and sovereignty of India.“Navlakha is one of those members who is part of giving mileage to subversive activities (Naxalite Maoist insurgency) against this country.".Another contention made was that Navlakha was working in urban areas to unite intellectuals against government forces to defeat them both physically and otherwise.“Navlakha has deep links with CPI (Maoist) and espouses Maoist ideology and anti-government utterances through his lectures and videos,” the NIA said..Navlakha, who is human rights activist and former Secretary of People's Union for Democratic Rights, was arrested in August 2018 in relation to the Bhima Koregaon violence. He was initially placed under house arrest, but was later moved to Taloja Central Prison in Maharashtra in April 2020 after a Supreme Court order.However, on November 10 last year, the Supreme Court allowed his plea to be shifted back to house arrest for a month. This was extended by another month on December 13. He is presently residing in Navi Mumbai city of Thane district.Navlakha had moved the High Court after a special NIA court rejected his bail plea on September 5, 2022. His bail plea will be heard on February 27, 2023.