Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Supreme Court Flags 7-Year Detention Without Trial
The Supreme Court of India is very worried because a lawyer named Surendra Gadling has been in jail for almost seven years without his trial starting.
He was arrested because of an incident where some people set fire to trucks in Maharashtra.
The court noticed that the special court in Mumbai doesn't have a judge to hear his case, and the state hasn't given him all the evidence.
The Supreme Court wants to speed up the trial and might let Gadling out on bail if things don't move quickly.
They think it's important for people to have a fair and speedy trial, especially under strict laws like the UAPA.
Surendra Gadling, a human rights lawyer, has been detained for nearly seven years without trial under UAPA.
The Supreme Court expressed concern over the delay and the lack of a presiding judge in the special court in Mumbai.
Gadling's counsel highlighted that the state failed to provide necessary electronic evidence to the accused.
The Supreme Court proposed a timeline to expedite the trial and deferred the bail application by one month.
The court emphasized the fundamental right to a speedy trial and the potential need to grant bail to protect constitutional rights.
- Who
- Surendra Gadling, a human rights lawyer and activist
- What
- Prolonged detention without trial under UAPA
- When
- Detained since 2018, Supreme Court hearing on January 22, 2026
- Where
- Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Why
- Implicated in a 2016 incident involving Maoists setting fire to trucks
- Activist
- Surendra Gadling
- Charges
- UAPA and IPC sections
- Incident
- Maoists setting fire to trucks in Gadchiroli
- Detention Duration
- 7 years
- Court
- Special court in Mumbai
- Supreme Court Bench
- Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi
- Counsel
- Senior Advocate Anand Grover
- Prosecution Representative
- Additional Solicitor General SV Raju
Sources
7 Years, No Trial: Supreme Court Flags Prolonged Detention Of Activist Surendra Gadling Under UAPA
7 years in jail without trial: SC hears activist Surendra Gadling’s plea, to expedite proceedings in 2016 Gadchiroli arson case
SC rules to expedite proceedings against Surjagarh arson accused Surendra Gadling
