**Supreme Court Grants Activist Mahesh Raut Interim Bail on Medical Grounds**

Fast Summary

• The Supreme Court on September 16, 2025, granted interim bail to Mahesh Raut, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case, on medical grounds for six weeks.
• Mahesh Raut suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and requires specialized medical care unavailable in prison or MumbaiS JJ Hospital.
• The Bombay High Court had previously granted him bail in September 2023; however, that order was stayed by the Supreme Court following an appeal by the National Investigating Agency (NIA).
• The NIA opposed the bail request citing serious allegations that mr. raut allegedly transferred funds to Maoists and is affiliated with the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).
• Mr. Raut has been detained since June 2018 after his arrest related to violence at bhima-Koregaon on January 1, 2018; one person died during these events.
• He is currently held at Taloja prison in Maharashtra under charges framed using provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The granting of interim bail underscores critical debates within India’s judicial process-balancing human rights considerations against national security concerns. While medical grounds were cited as the basis for relief granted to Mahesh Raut temporarily,it highlights recurring issues such as ensuring accessible healthcare within penitentiary systems. Furthermore, this case illustrates broader discourses around UAPA prosecutions and extended pretrial detentions when dealing with allegations of terrorism or sedition.

The outcome may also influence how similar cases proceed regarding judicial oversight over investigative agencies like NIA and their role in high-profile arrests related to internal security. With already prolonged litigation timelines causing delays for substantive legal evaluation amid appeals between courts, expedited resolution becomes essential both for protecting individual rights while preserving confidence in investigative integrity.

Read more: the cases and charges against Bhima Koregaon accused