The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on February 8 for the bail plea of advocate Surendra Gadling, pertaining to his involvement in the 2016 Surjagarh iron ore mine arson case. The decision came after senior advocate Anand Grover, representing Gadling, brought the matter before a bench comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sanjay Kumar.

Gadling's plea challenges the Bombay High Court's order from October 10 last year, prompting the Supreme Court to issue a notice to the Maharashtra government. The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court had previously denied bail to Gadling on January 31 last year, citing prima facie evidence supporting the accusations against him.

The incident in question occurred on December 25, 2016, when Maoist rebels allegedly orchestrated the torching of 76 vehicles utilized for iron ore transportation from the Surajgarh mines in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district. Gadling stands accused of providing assistance to the Maoists operating on the ground level and allegedly conspiring with other co-accused, some of whom remain at large.

Charges against Gadling include violations of anti-terror legislation, specifically the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, along with provisions of the Indian Penal Code. Prosecutors assert that Gadling shared confidential government information and maps of certain areas with underground Maoist insurgents.

Furthermore, Gadling is implicated in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, which involves purportedly inflammatory speeches delivered during the Elgar Parishad gathering held in Pune on December 31, 2017. Authorities claim these speeches incited violence near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune district the following day.

Allegations also suggest that Gadling advocated against the operation of the Surjagarh mines and encouraged local residents to join the Maoist movement. His involvement in both the Surjagarh arson case and the Elgar Parishad event underscores the complexity of his legal predicament.