NIA Court Dismisses Varavara Rao’s Plea
NIA court denies 85-year-old activist’s request to relocate to Hyderabad citing Supreme Court restrictions
Mumbai: A special NIA court this week rejected the plea of 85-year-old poet and activist P. Varavara Rao to permanently move to his hometown of Hyderabad, citing medical and financial concerns. Rao had requested the relocation, stating that living in Mumbai had become a financial burden. While his monthly pension is around ₹50,000, his expenses in the city exceed ₹77,000, forcing him to rely on his children and affecting his sense of independence and dignity.
Rao, an accused in the Elgar Parishad case, is currently out on bail but remains bound by Supreme Court conditions requiring him to stay within the jurisdiction of Greater Mumbai. The court emphasized that it did not have the authority to override the Supreme Court’s directives and noted that Rao’s liberty was granted with specific restrictions.
The decision highlights the ongoing legal constraints faced by Rao despite his advanced age and health concerns, reaffirming adherence to the conditions set by the higher judiciary.
