In a recent development, the Supreme Court has prolonged the stay granted by the Bombay High Court concerning the bail awarded to activist Gautam Navlakha in connection with the Elgar Parishad case. The decision was made by a Bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and SVN Bhatti. Additionally, the matter has been directed to be listed before Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who will determine whether to consolidate the present case with other connected petitions filed by co-accused or assign the matter to a single bench for a comprehensive hearing.

During a brief hearing, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued for parity, contending that Navlakha deserved similar treatment to co-accused Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves, who had already been granted bail by the Supreme Court in the same case. Justice Bhatti responded by noting that the granting of bail was already under scrutiny and pending before the court. Singhvi concurred, emphasizing that Navlakha, a 72-year-old individual, had been under house arrest by the court's order.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), represented by Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, urged the Supreme Court to extend the stay on the bail granted by the High Court, which was set to expire on January 9. Responding to this request, the Supreme Court extended the stay until the matter could be listed for appropriate orders.

The Elgar Parishad case revolves around alleged inflammatory speeches made during the Elgar Parishad conclave in Pune on December 31, 2017. According to police claims, these speeches triggered violence the following day near the Bhima-Koregaon war memorial on the outskirts of Pune. Notably, the case has garnered attention due to its implications for the accused activists and the broader issues of free speech and dissent.