CJI Gogoi Recuses From Hearing Guatam Navlakha's Petition For Quashing FIR In Bhima Koregaon Case

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Monday recused from hearing the petition filed by Gautam Navlakha challenging the September 13 judgment of Bombay High Court that refused to quahs  the FIR registered against him by Pune police alleging his involvement in inciting the violence at Koregaon Bhima in Pune on January 1, 2018.

No reasons were cited by the CJI for the recusal. When the petition came before the bench, which also consisted of Justices Bobde and Abdul Nazeer, CJI Gogoi ordered that the matter be listed before a bench which does not include him.

The division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice Bharati Dangre observed that there was prima facie material against the 65-year-old activist referring to the document submitted in a sealed envelope by Additional Public Prosecutor Aruna Pai. The police claimed that they have material showing 'deep involvement' of Navlakha in Maoist conspiracy.