Overview

• A special NIA court in Mumbai has formally framed charges against Sathyanarayana Rani, Parasram Maniram Tulavi, Somsay Dalasay Madavi and Kisan Sitaram Hidami.
• The four pleaded not guilty after charges were read out under the IPC, the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act and the Explosive Substances Act, including conspiracy, murder and waging war.
• The trial is expected to begin on October 17, following the completion of charge framing for the remaining accused.
• The case stems from a May 1, 2019 IED blast near Lendhari in Gadchiroli that killed 15 Maharashtra Police QRT personnel and a civilian driver, which investigators link to a CPI (Maoist) plot.
• Prosecutors cite an alleged planning meeting in the Aarewada jungle; four co-accused were charged in May 2024 and most defendants remain in custody, with Rani previously granted medical bail.