Milind Ekbote’s bail plea rejected, arrest likely

Pune: Pune Sessions court on Monday rejected the anticipatory bail application of radical Hindutva leader Milind Ekbote who is accused of orchestrating the violent clashes in Koregaon Bhima village on New Year’s Day which left one person dead and causing communal tensions and extensive damage to property.

Quashing Ekbote's bail plea, Special Judge Prahlad Bhagure observed that the violence, which shattered the peace during the bicentenary celebrations of the battle of Bhima-Koregaon, was 'a grave matter’ and that Ekbote faced “very serious charges against him”.

With this, the leader, whose whereabouts are ostensibly unknown, faces arrest. On January 18, Ekbote’s lawyer, Chintamani Ghate, submitted an application seeking anticipatory bail. According to Ekbote’s counsel, the leader could not have been present at the time of the clashes as he had been under police protection for several days.

 Two FIRs were lodged against Milind and Sambhaji for allegedly orchestrating the Koregaon Bhima clashes with their inflammatory speeches in the aftermath of the Bhima-Koregaon clashes.

 Both cases have been transferred to the Shikrapur police in Pune district.