Archive · 1 Sep 2026
SC to hear Surendra Gadling’s bail plea in arson case
The Supreme Court will hear Surendra Gadling’s request for bail on October 14.
Bail would allow him to leave jail while his case continues.
Gadling has been in jail for more than seven years in a case involving burned vehicles at an iron ore mine.
Investigators accuse him of helping Maoist rebels and sharing secret information and maps.
His lawyer says Gadling did not burn the trucks and that the people accused of doing so are already on bail.
The government says there is evidence against him.
Gadling is also accused in another case connected to the Elgar Parishad event.
The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether he should receive bail in the arson case.
The Supreme Court scheduled October 14 to hear Surendra Gadling’s bail plea.
Gadling is challenging a January 2023 Bombay High Court order denying him bail.
He has spent more than seven years in jail in the Surjagarh mine arson case.
The prosecution alleges he aided Maoists and shared information, maps and strategic advice.
Gadling’s lawyer says the truck-burning accused are already out on bail and that Gadling also has bail in the Elgar Parishad case.
- Who
- Advocate Surendra Gadling; the Supreme Court bench hearing his plea; and the Maharashtra government opposing it.
- What
- The Supreme Court scheduled a hearing on Gadling’s bail plea in the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case.
- When
- The hearing is scheduled for October 14; Gadling has been jailed for more than seven years.
- Where
- The alleged arson occurred at the Surajgarh iron ore mines in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra; the plea is before the Supreme Court.
- Why
- Gadling is seeking bail after the Bombay High Court rejected his request in January 2023; prosecutors allege he aided Maoists in the arson-related conspiracy.
Gadling’s defense
Maharashtra government
Basis for bail
Gadling’s defense
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that Gadling has been jailed for more than seven years and that those accused of burning the trucks are already on bail.
Maharashtra government
Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju said he needed to point out the evidence against Gadling.
Alleged role in the incident
Gadling’s defense
The defense emphasized that the allegations describe other people burning the trucks, while Gadling is seeking bail in the related case.
Maharashtra government
The prosecution alleges that Gadling provided aid to Maoists, shared secret information and maps, and participated in a conspiracy connected to opposition to the mines.
- Next hearing
- October 14
- Case
- 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case
- Alleged incident
- Maoist rebels allegedly burned 76 vehicles on December 25, 2016.
- Current custody
- Gadling has been in jail for more than seven years in the arson case.
- Earlier court order
- The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court denied bail in January 2023.
- Charges mentioned
- The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and various provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
- Other case
- Gadling is also an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case and has been granted bail in that case.