The Supreme Court has made it clear to activist Gautam Navlakha that he must bear the cost of the security provided during his house arrest. The court stated that Navlakha cannot escape from paying the expenses for the deployment of policemen by the Maharashtra government for his security, as it was on his request that house arrest was granted.
The National Investigation Agency informed the bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice SVN Bhatti that a sum of INR 1.64 crores was spent on Navlakha during his house arrest, which he is liable to pay. He was arrested in connection with the Elgar Parishad-Maoist case and was granted house arrest by the court on medical grounds.
Outstanding Amount of 1.64 Crores on Gautam Navlakha
The court told Navlakha's lawyer, "If you have requested for house arrest, you must pay for it." The two-judge bench stated, "You know you cannot escape your obligation because you demanded it." The NIA revealed that an amount of INR 1.64 crores is outstanding and Navlakha must pay for the security provided during his house arrest.
Navlakha Previously Paid Ten Lakhs
Citing the house arrest order as 'unusual', the NIA's lawyer argued that a significant number of police personnel were deployed for 24-hour security during his house arrest. Navlakha's lawyer affirmed that there was no issue with making the payment; however, the problem lies with the calculation of the total amount. The agency’s lawyer also informed the court that Navlakha had previously paid ten lakhs for the security but is now trying to avoid further payments.
Gautam Navlakha Granted Bail by Bombay High Court
Navlakha's lawyer stated, "There is no question of delaying the payment." He added that the petition by the NIA, which challenges the Bombay High Court's bail order dated December 19, 2023, also needs to be heard. The Supreme Court extended the stay on the high court's bail order and scheduled the hearing for April 23, allowing for further deliberation on the matter in about two weeks' time. On March 7, Navlakha's lawyer had questioned this figure before the SC and accused the agency of "coercive recovery." The agency's lawyer strongly objected to the use of the term "coercive recovery." Navlakha has been under house arrest since November 2022 at a public library in Mumbai.
