Activist Shoma Sen granted bail by Supreme Court in Bhima Koregaon case

New Delhi: Social activist Shoma Sen was granted bail on Friday by the Supreme Court in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence case.

Sen, accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), had been in jail for nearly five years.

A bench led by Justice Aniruddha Bose noted that the stringent bail provision under the UAPA, Section 43(D)(5) requiring a prima facie finding of innocence, wouldn't apply in this case.

This is because India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is handling the case, did not oppose Sen's bail plea. The court further acknowledged that the NIA had indicated Sen's detention wasn't necessary.

Sen's advanced age and need for medical attention were also considered by the court. "She shouldn't be denied the right to bail," the court remarked.

The Supreme Court emphasized that its observations were preliminary and subject to the trial court's final judgment. As bail conditions, Sen is required to stay within Maharashtra and surrender her passport.