Bhima Koregaon Violence Case: Accused Milind Ekbote Granted Bail

Pune, April 19: Milind Ekbote prime accused in Bhima Koregaon violence on Thursday was granted bail on a bond of Rs. 25,000 by Pune Session court. Hindutva leader Ekbote was arrested by the Maharashtra Police on March 14 this year, after the Supreme Court dismissed his anticipatory bail plea. Ekbote was facing charges of inciting violence, attempt to murder and atrocities against Dalits in the Koregaon Bhima violence that erupted in Pune on January 1 and left one dead and several others injured including 10 policemen.

Violence erupted after some people, reportedly with saffron flags, pelted stones at cars heading towards the village for the commemoration of the 200 years of Bhima-Koregaon war on New Year's Day.

Dalit leaders and workers at the village had alleged that Hindutva activists Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide instigated the violence. Two FIRs were registered against Ekbote for his alleged role in the violence at a time when Dalits in huge numbers had gathered at Perne village on the Pune-Ahmednagar Road to mark the 200th year of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon.