Hany Babu Awaits Verdict on Bail After Five Years in Custody
The Bombay High Court has reserved its order on the bail plea of Delhi University professor Hany Babu, who has been in jail for over five years in connection with the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case.
The court heard arguments from both sides and will now decide whether Babu should be granted bail. No date has yet been announced for the final verdict.
Who Is Hany Babu?
Hany Babu is an associate professor of English at Delhi University. He was arrested in July 2020 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA.
The arrest was linked to alleged involvement in a larger conspiracy connected to the Elgar Parishad event held in Pune in 2017, which authorities claim sparked violence at Bhima Koregaon the following day.
He is one of several academics, activists, and lawyers charged in the case.
What the Defence Says
Babu’s legal team is seeking regular bail, arguing that:
- He has already spent more than five years in custody.
- Charges have still not been formally framed, leading to an unreasonable delay in the trial.
- Prolonged detention without trial violates his fundamental rights.
- There is no concrete evidence directly linking him to the violence or conspiracy.
His lawyers emphasized that continuing to hold him without a trial violates the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.”
What the NIA Says
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) opposed the bail plea.
Their main arguments included:
- Babu was allegedly in contact with banned Maoist groups.
- His release could affect the ongoing investigation.
- The seriousness of the charges under the UAPA makes him ineligible for bail unless the court finds that there is no prima facie case against him.
The agency maintains that Babu played a role in furthering the aims of a banned organization, which justifies his continued custody.
Court Reserves Decision
After hearing arguments from both sides, the Bombay High Court has reserved its decision, meaning it will issue a ruling at a later date. The judges have not provided a timeline for when the decision will be announced.
This leaves Babu’s future uncertain, as he continues to remain in judicial custody while waiting for the outcome.
The Bigger Picture: Delays in the Bhima Koregaon Case
The Bhima Koregaon case has become one of India’s most high-profile legal sagas in recent years, involving intellectuals, lawyers, and activists. Critics have repeatedly raised concerns over:
- Delays in framing charges
- Extended pre-trial detention
- Use of UAPA provisions to deny bail
Several accused in the case have been in custody for years without formal trials, leading to national and international debates on civil liberties, due process, and judicial delay.
What Happens Next?
Until the court announces its decision, Hany Babu will remain behind bars.
If the court grants bail, it could set a strong precedent for other undertrials in the case. If not, the legal battle is likely to continue in higher courts.
Final Thoughts
For now, Hany Babu and his family can only wait. The court’s ruling will not only impact his immediate future but could also shape broader discussions around pre-trial justice and the use of anti-terror laws in India.
As the nation watches, the outcome of this bail plea may prove to be a turning point — not just in Babu’s case, but in how the legal system addresses long detentions without trial.
