Rona Wilson, prison rights activist and one of the 16 accused in the 2018 Bhima Koergaon case, has been granted temporary bail by NIA Court to attend a function slated to be organised in connection with his father’s death.
Rona’s father Wilson Jacob expired last month in Kerala. As per custom, a function has been organised for the 30th day ritual at a church in Kerala on 16 September.
Advocate Neeraj appearing for Rona Wilson prayed for bail on humane consideration so that he is at liberty to meet his family members and participate in the “mass” organised by his family, according to Bar and Bench.
However, NIA opposed the application, submitting that the family prayer for the death of Rona’s father could be done by Rona’s brother and other family members too.
Special Public Prosecutor Prakash Shetty argued that the final rites were already over hence Wilson was merely creating a ground for release and may carry out illicit activity or tamper with prosecution evidence.
Rona was arrested in July 2018 and is presently in judicial custody for offences under the draconian UAPA.
Rona Wilson is a member of the Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners (CRPP), which has campaigned against the UAPA and other repressive laws.
